1. A Republican Decade 1919-1929 Topic 4.5/4.6

2. 1920 Presidential Election Warren G. Harding Republican - Ohio 1921 - 1923 Promises Americans “A return to normalcy” and economic growth.

3. The Bolshevik Revolution –Czar Nicholas II is forced to abdicate (renounce the throne) in 1917 –Popularity had been declining –Leading his country into war (WWI) –New Government formed –Alexander Kerensky leads the new government, supports WWI and is very unpopular

4. – Vladimir I. Lenin promises “peace, land and bread” –His movement becomes very strong, and overthrows the government, seizes all property (some belonging to Americans) –Lenin and his followers took the name Bolsheviks –Russian for “majority” Bolsheviks overthrew Kerensky’s government on November 6th 1917

5. Vladimir I. Lenin o New nation becomes known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republicans (USSR) o Lenin made communism the official ideology of the USSR o For Lenin communism…. o The government owned all land and property o The needs of the country always took priority over the rights of individuals o For communism to survive Lenin believed it would have to spread o Lenin Advocates the WORLD WIDE SPREAD of Communism.

6. The Red Scare –Russia’s intention to spread communism alarmed many Americans –Led to a sudden, intense fear of Communism, Radical Ideas, and Foreigners. This fear was collectively known as “The Red Scare”…

7. Schenck vs. U.S. (1919) –Charles Schenck –Distribute thousands of flyers to American servicemen who had been drafted (WWI) –Telling them not to report for duty –Convicted of breaking the Espionage Act –Anything that presents “Clear and Present Danger” to the United States –Yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater

8. Gitlow v. New York Bernard Gitlow Publishing calls to overthrow the government by force The State of New York Convicted him of Criminal anarchy Gitlow appealed-said the state of New York had violated his right to freedom of speech The Supreme Court upheld his conviction –That he had urged people to violent revolution

9. Palmer Raids –Convinced that radicals were conspiring to overthrow the government –Set up special force to conduct raids and arrest people suspected of trying to overthrow the government –Targets included Communists, Socialists, and anarchists –Jan 2, 1920 federal agents arrested thousands of suspected radicals –Without evidence charged them with anarchy –Most were born overseas and were completely innocent –More than 500 were deported A. Mitchell Palmer U.S. Attorney General

10. Sacco and Vanzetti –April 15, 1920 –Gunmen robbed a shoe factory in Massachusetts killing two people –Two Italian anarchists were charged and convicted – Most Americans felt they were framed. Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola Sacco

11. Strikes and the Red Scare 1920 – 350 strikes a month all over the U.S., and people blamed immigrants, communists, and radicals.

12. Boston Police Strike In September 1919 took steps to organize a union Go on strike for higher wages Rioting breaks out Future President Calvin Coolidge (then the governor of Massachusetts) calls in the state police to break the strike. Gained national attention for his firm response to the strike

13. Coal and Steel Strike Steelworkers launch a strike against the United States Steel Corporation Put in 12 hour shifts Work weeks averaged more than 65 hours Backed by the AFL workers ask for 8 hour work days-48 hour work week Government calls in the police to break the strike and “scabs” to replace the workers

14. Republican Leadership 1920 election republicans win Republicans dominated for the rest of the decade Very Pro-Business Public felt the Republicans’ would be better suited to handle the Communist and the Economy

15. 1920 Presidential Election Warren G. Harding Republican from Ohio –Nation weary of war –Promises Americans –“A return to normalcy” and economic growth.

16. Warren G. Harding Isolationist policy –Many Americans wished to avoid political or economic alliances with foreign countries Harding opposed American membership in the League of Nations Promoted the expansion of trade Acted to protect businesses at home High tariffs to protect American Manufacturers.

17. Domestic Issues  As Americans became more isolationist they became more nativist  Nativism movement favored native-born Americans over immigrants

18. Nativism Patriotism-believed that foreigners could never be fully loyal to the U.S. Religion-Nativists mistrusted immigrants who were Catholic or Jews Urban Conditions-blamed the problems in the cities (slums/corruption) on immigrants Jobs-workers feared that immigrants would take their jobs away Red Scare-immigrants might hold or adopt radical political ideas

19. Immigration Quotas  Scales back immigration to pre- 1890 levels (this is done to eliminate Southern, Eastern and Central Europeans)  Quota or numerical limit imposed on immigrants

20. Republican Scandals Many Scandals rocked the Harding administration Harding was most likely not involved Biggest scandal was the “Teapot Dome Scandal” – Money for Oil Harding’s Secretary of Interior Albert B. Falls secretly gave oil- drilling rights to two private oil companies received more than 300,000 May have contributed to his early death… Died on August 2, 1923-heart problems

21. Calvin Coolidge August 1923 word arrived about Harding’s death (visiting his parents in Vermont) Vice President Coolidge took office Finished Harding’s term Ran for reelection in 1924 Won reelection “The chief business of the American people is business” “Laissez Faire”- “let happen”, “let do”

22. The Kellogg-Briand Pact 62 nations signed a treaty that “outlawed” war as a form of foreign policy. It was a complete failure.

23. Eugenics Idea that some people are more fit than others (Social Darwinism) and therefore some people shouldn't reproduce (Nazis!)