Politics of the Roaring Twenties

1. Politics of the Roaring Twenties Mr. Smith’s U.S. History Class The United States seeks postwar normality and isolation. The standard of living soars amid labor unrest, immigration quotas, and the scandals of the Harding administration. NEXT

2. Section 1 America Struggles with Postwar Issues A desire for normality after the war and a fear of communism and “foreigners” lead to postwar isolationism. NEXT

3. SECTION Americans Struggle with Postwar Issues 1 Postwar Trends The Effects of Peace on the Public • • End of WWI returns millions of soldiers to farms & factories in US and Europe. • • Economy adjusting: war economy had disrupted normal business practices & fattened the US government (grew in size & cost) • - job market glutted w/ job seekers • - farmers devastated as prices fall due to European farmers returning to fields after war • - severe, but hidden, economic repercussions due to agriculture issues. • Nativism—dislike of foreign-born people—push back against League of Nations/Labor Unions • Isolationism—pulling away from world affairs—promoted by some NEXT

4. SECTION 1 Fear of Communism The Red Scare • Communism—economic, political system, single-party government - ruled by dictator - no private property • 1919 Vladimir I. Lenin, Bolsheviks, set up Communist state in Russia • U.S. Communist Party forms; some Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies) join • American “intellectuals” welcome communism as next step in U.S. evolution • Bombs mailed to government, businesses; people fear Red conspiracy • Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer takes action Continued . . . NEXT

5. SECTION 1 continuedFear of Communism The Red Scare – Intellectuals views • Owen Lattimore – “the executions of dissidents sounds like democracy to me.” Harry Ward – compared Soviet system to the teachings of Jesus. • April 1919 – NYC postal clerks discover over 20 bombs addressed to public officials. All but 2 bombers caught; undetected bomb explodes at Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer house, killing the postman. • A second bomb explodes at U.S. Senator’s house, shattering the arm of the house maid. Continued . . . NEXT

6. SECTION 1 continuedFear of Communism • The Palmer Raids •Outraged citizens support immediate action; U.S. Senate approves legislation & USAG Palmer assigns assistant J. Edgar Hoover of Justice Department task of stopping communist threat. • * Hoover, with Palmer’s approval, begins a series of raids, that effectively deter bombings & reduces membership in U.S. Communist Party by 80%. • * Palmer Raids anger some citizens (and anarchists) and a team of lawyers claims civil rights are being abused in the raids. Public opinion turns against Palmer and he eventually resigns as AG. Continued . . . NEXT

7. SECTION 1 continuedFear of Communism Sacco and Vanzetti • Red Scare heightens fear of foreigners– similar to fear of terrorists after 9/11 • 1920, Sacco and Vanzetti, Italian immigrants, anarchists, arrested - charged with robbery, murder - Supporters and opponents incorrectly label them as Communists (they were anarchists) - Both sides see trial as a test of government’s position on radicals. - Evidence was solid and circumstantial • 1921, Jury finds them guilty; protests in U.S., abroad - Sacco, Vanzetti executed 1927 which forges bond between Communists and liberal sympathizers that surfaces again in the Great Depression NEXT

8. SECTION 1 Limiting Immigration Anti-Immigrant Attitudes • Nativists: fewer unskilled jobs available, fewer immigrants needed, labor unions oppose immigrants and do not allow membership • Some people think immigrant anarchists and socialists are Communist (some are, some aren’t) The Klan Rises Again (Sort of) • Klan use anti-communism to harass groups unlike themselves • KKK opposes blacks, Catholics, Jews, immigrants, unions, saloons (support prohibition) - 1924, 4.5 million members, however largest protest draws only 40,000 attendees • Klan has some influence instates’ politics; violence leads to less power as people react unfavorably Continued . . . NEXT

9. SECTION 1 continued Limiting Immigration The Quota System • • 1919–1921, number of immigrants grows almost 600%; WW I revealed that the economy could function effectively without foreign immigration; opposition to immigration restriction withered away. • Quota systemsets maximum number can enter U.S. from each country • - most of the arguments advanced against immigration were economic; American Federation of Labor for quotas • •Organized labor feared that American workers' wages would decline if unskilled immigrant workers flooded the labor market • •Many businessmen feared dangerous foreign radicals. NEXT

10. SECTION 1 continued Limiting Immigration • •1920s - most ethnic groups agreed that the overall volume of immigration should be reduced. • - The issue remained: how to distribute the immigration quotas. • In 1924, Congress reduced the number of immigrants allowed into the United States each year to two percent of each nationality group counted in the 1890 census. It also barred Asians entirely. • •compromise reached: make the quotas proportionate to the current population, so that future immigration would not change the balance of ethnic groups. • • 1924,Congress reduced the number of immigrants allowed into the United States each year to two percent of each nationality group counted in the 1890 census. • •Barred Asians entirely NEXT

11. SECTION 1 A Time of Unrest Postwar Issues • Deep social tensions, aggravated by high wartime inflation. Food prices more than doubled between 1915 and 1920; clothing costs more than tripled. • Labor demanded union recognition, shorter hours, and raises exceeding the inflation rate. • Over 4 million workers—1/5th of the nation's workforce--participated in strikes in 1919, including 365,000 steelworkers and 400,000 miners. • The number of striking workers would not be matched until the Depression year of 1937. Continued . . . NEXT

12. SECTION 1 A Time of Labor Unrest Postwar Labor Issues • Government doesn’t allow strikes in wartime; 1919 many strikes occur • Employers against raises, unions; label strikers as Communists, even though some unions promote Communism The Boston Police Strike • Boston police strike over raises, right to unionize; 2 days of rioting & crime • The entire Boston police force deserted their posts, leaving the city virtually defenseless. Women were raped on street corners, stores were looted, and pedestrians were beaten and robbed while crowds not only looked on but cheered. • Calvin Coolidge ends strike, replaces strikers with new policemen (see quote on wall) Continued . . . NEXT

13. SECTION 1 A Time of Labor Unrest The Steel Mill Strike • 350,000 steelworkers went on strike; AFL tries to unionize the industry. • Management's perspective: steel strike represented the handiwork of radicals &professional labor agitators. The strike was a radical conspiracy to get the company to pay a 12-hour wage for 8 hours' work. Communists were seizing power in Hungary & staging revolts in Germany;workers in Italy seizing factories, management feared that the steel strike was the first step toward overturning the industrial system. • Strike ended with the complete defeat of the unions. Continued . . . NEXT

14. SECTION 1 continuedA Time of Labor Unrest Labor Movement Loses Appeal • Labor's perspective: corporations had triumphed through espionage, blacklists, and the denial of freedom of speech and assembly, and through the complete unwillingness to recognize the right of collective bargaining with the workers' representatives. • Progressive era “wins” rolled back by USSC. The U.S. Supreme Court outlawed picketing, overturned national child labor laws, and abolished minimum wage laws for women. • Less than 1% of African Americans, just over 3% whites in unions. Membership in labor unions fell from 5 million to 3 million. NEXT