Postwar Problems 1920’S

Emerging Economic Tensions WWI created incredible industrial gains, but transition to peacetime economy difficult, no time for demobilization Cancelled war contracts, factories closed, crop prices dropped  5 million jobless Inflation – value of the dollar dropped (more than 15% a year) Recession – decline in economic activity Also saw a rise in violent crime (ex. Sacco and Vanzetti trial)

Rising Labor Tensions Reduced wages, increased workday Labor and Business cooperated during the war, but as the war ended, tensions rose Tried to improve wages and working conditions AFL – American Federation of Labor Some were general strikes – strike by all workers in all industries in a region 1919 saw more than 3600 strikes Though unions lead to radical anarchy Many people viewed Unions as a threat to their lives Supreme Court decisions weakened unions During the 1920s, gov’t typically supported business, not labor.

What are the artist’s points in these cartoons?

Growing Political Tensions Bomb scares are scene as a sign that Radicalism = a point of view favoring extreme change, is growing Socialists call for public ownership a land and factoriesCommunists call for all individuals to share wealth Karl Marx (classless society) Anarchists opposed all systems of government Red Scare = postwar fear of radicals Reaction = A. Mitchell Palmer led raids in homes and businesses looking for weapons, etc and deported those he suspected were radicals ( Palmer Raids ) Most arrested in the raids were eventually released because Palmer violated civil liberties of Americans

The Red Scare  Cause ?  How does this image show the cause of the scare?  Effect?  How does this image show the effects of the scare?

Increasing Social Tensions Rising amounts of immigrants caused an increase in nativism (prejudice against foreign born people) Emergency Immigration Act – 1921 – capped immigration at 375,000 a year Immigration Act of 1924 – reduced to 174,000 Quota System = limits the # of immigrants from certain areas of the world (eastern and southern Europe, Asia) – 3% of residents in % in 1924 Ku Klux Klan has a revival (4.5 million in 1924) and began attacking immigrants, Catholics and Jews, in addition to African Americans They claimed they were defending American values American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – founded to protect freedom of speech

1. This photo shows a huge march that took place on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. on September 13, From what you know about the KKK, why is it unlikely that a march such as this would take place in Washington today? 2. Could such a march take place anywhere in the USA today? Why or why not? 3. In the 1920s, the KKK directed its hatred not only towards African- Americans, but also to Jews, Catholics, and other immigrant groups. From what you know about immigration patterns and postwar America, why do you think the KKK included these groups in its attacks in the 1920s? 4. Why do you think the KKK’s hateful ideas about African-American, Jews, Catholics, and immigrants had such wide appeal in the 1920s?

Enduring Racial and Religious Tensions Asian Discrimination In some states not allowed to be citizens or own land African Discrimination Lynchings were common Marcus Garvey Back To Africa movement – transport African Americans back to Africa but it faded away Anti Semitism – prejudice against Jews Anti-Defamation League formed to protect the false accusation of Jewish people