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The Roaring 20s. America Struggles with Postwar Issues. Postwar Trends. The economy initially slows down as America goes from a war to a peace time economy. Many Americans became fearful of outsiders & a wave of nativism could be seen throughout the country.
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The Roaring 20s America Struggles with Postwar Issues
Postwar Trends • The economy initially slows down as America goes from a war to a peace time economy. • Many Americans became fearful of outsiders & a wave of nativism could be seen throughout the country. • Isolationism grew in popularity as well
Communist Fear *Due to the Russian Revolution many people in America feared the spread of Communism. *The Red Scare 1919-A Communist Party formed in the U.S. that saw approx. 70,000 members joined. After several dozen bombs were mailed to business & government leaders, the U.S. government responds.
The Palmer Raids • U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer and J. Edgar Hoover and their agents carryout the Palmer Raids to combat this Red Scare. • In August of 1919, the Palmer Raids went after suspected Communists, socialists, and anarchists. • The raids violated people’s civil rights and failed to uncover any revolutionary conspiracy.
Sacco & Vanzetti • The Red Scare left America very fearful & suspicious of foreigners. • In May of 1920, Nicola Sacco & Bartolomeo Vanzetti (Italian immigrants) were arrested and charged with robbery and murder. • The evidence was circumstantial and the judge displayed a prejudice attitude. • They were found guilty and executed in 1927.
Anti-Immigration • Many Americans urged the government to limit immigration. • The KKK reemerges and uses communism as an excuse to harass any group that wasn’t like themselves. (membership reaching 4.5 million by 1924) • Giving in to nativist pressure, the U.S. government established a quota system through the Emergency Quota Act in 1921.
Labor Unrest • Labor was not allowed to strike during WW I. • After the war, workers wanted raises and employers throughout the nation were unwilling to give them. • The Boston Police Strike • U.S. Steel Mill Strike • The Coal Miners Strike (John L. Lewis) • Throughout the 20s labor unions lose their appeal.