1 / 15

Tensions of the 1920s

US History Mrs. Housenick 2 / 15 /13. Tensions of the 1920s. Postwar Economic Downturn. After end of WWI, US suffers major economic downturn Causes: End to wartime production As soldiers return home from war want jobs back, many left out of work Effects:

ashtyn
Download Presentation

Tensions of the 1920s

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. US History Mrs. Housenick 2/15/13 Tensions of the 1920s

  2. Postwar Economic Downturn • After end of WWI, US suffers major economic downturn • Causes: • End to wartime production • As soldiers return home from war want jobs back, many left out of work • Effects: • Women, African-Americans and immigrants fired first • Lots of competition for jobs • Often develops into class and racial tension as groups struggle to get their piece of the pie.

  3. Political Scandals • President Harding brought much scandal to office • Often ranked worst president in US History • Lots of corruption and bribery • Let friends get away with breaking the law • Teapot Dome Scandal • Worst scandal of Harding’s presidency • Secretary of Interior leased US naval oil reserve to private interest for a bribe. • Destroys Harding’s reputation

  4. Labor Unrest • Workers very unhappy after war, not afraid to protest • Inflation, but no wage increases • Record number of strikes • Some successful—United Mine Workers strike won wage increases • However, most workers faced harsh opposition from companies, government and public. • Labor unions often accused of spreading communism. • DURING 1920s, UNION MEMBERSHIP DECREASED GREATLY

  5. Radicals and Bombs • Two radical groups • Communists—wanted worldwide workers revolution • Anarchists—wanted no government • Most peaceful, some turned to violence • In early 20s, anarchists planted bombs at homes of political officials and industrialists • Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer had his house bombed • Determined to destroy radical groups

  6. The Red Scare • Government coordinated attacks on radicals and foreigners • A. Mitchell Palmer got law enforcement to deport or arrest “Reds” or communists. • Palmer Raids—orderedpolice to raid headquarters of radical groups, often without warrants • Many innocent people arrested and deported

  7. The Red Scare ctnd. • Increased anti-immigration sentiment • Connected immigrants with radicals • 1924 National Origins Act—set quotas on number of immigrants coming to US, especially limited immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe • Set limit at 2% of number living here in 1890 • No Japanese

  8. Red Scare • Theories of diversity in 20s: • Cultural pluralism • Kallen—each ethnic group should preserve own cultural identity • Bourne—in America, racial groups mix together (melting pot) • Some citizens protested government methods during Red Scare • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) formed

  9. The Sacco and Vanzetti Trial • Robbery at factory where paymaster and guard killed • Police arrested two Italian immigrants, Sacco and Vanzetti who were known anarchists • Prosecution lacked concrete evidence but jury convicted both after only 6 hours of deliberation • Many believe Sacco and Vanzetti were victims of Red Scare and xenophobia.

  10. Rising Intolerance • Rising racism and segregation after WWI • In 1915, rebirth of KKK • White, Protestant, nativist • Lead by Hiram Wesley Evans • Hated long list of people: Catholics, blacks, Jews, immigrants, homosexuals, Asians, “wild women” • By 1924, over 4 million members—many of them mayors, congressmen, police officers • Rising violence, especially lynching.

  11. From Racial Intolerance to Violence • Increase racial violence in 20s • Red Summer of 1919—over 20 major race riots across Northern cities • Hundreds killed • Lynchings increase • 1920: 53 blacks and 8 whites lynched

  12. Marcus Garvey and Black Pride • Jamaican immigrant, founder of UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) • More radical message of black pride. • On of the first popular black nationalists—argued that blacks needed their own, independent nation. • Urged a return to Africa. • Also, promoted African-American business. • Much support in working class community • Eventually deported by US government for mail fraud

  13. Science vs. Religion Debate • Debate between scientists who emphasized evolution and Creationists who believed in literal interpretation of Bible. • Tennessee passed a state law forbidding teachers to teach about evolution. • John Scopes, a biology teacher, challenged the law • Put on trial SCOPES TRIAL (aka “Monkey Trial” • Even though Scopes found guilty, in long run, it was the fundamentalists who looked silly and lost power.

  14. Prohibition • 1919: 18th Amendment enforced by Volstead Act • Popular in South and West • In cities, refusal to comply • Bootlegging, speakeasies, moonshine • Enforcement lacking • Led to increase in organized crime and gangsterism • Al Capone • By 1930s, organized crime made more money than US government

More Related