Postwar Struggles in the 1920’s

Why was America’s transition from war to peace so turbulent?

Postwar Stressful Conditions after the war Divided over the League of Nations Cost of living increase, need for workers decrease Tensions with immigrants, minorities, communists, laborers

Fears Nativism Isolationism Normalcy Fundamentalism Prejudice against foreign born people Leftover patriotism from war Isolationism Staying out of world affairs Did not join League of Nations Normalcy Return to the way things were Fundamentalism Rejection of evolution, only Biblical teachings

The Red Scare Fear of communism 1919 - Russian Revolution Economic and political system ruled by a dictator Government owned businesses to equalize power and wealth 1919 - Russian Revolution Set up Communist State (Reds)

Sacco and Vanzetti Italian immigrant anarchists Arrested for robbery and murder Pled not guilty, had alibis, little evidence against them Put to death

Quota System “Keep America for the Americans” Congress limited immigration from certain countries (Emergency Quota Act of 1921) Eastern and Southern Europe, Japan Roman Catholics and Jews Increased in Canada and Mexico

KKK Ku Klux Klan resurgence Harassed any group not “American” White, Christian, native born citizens Harassed any group not “American” Immigrants, Catholics, Jews, minorities, unions, communists 1924 – 4.5 million members

Rise of the KKK "..beyond any doubt the KKK is the largest and most cohesive, most efficiently organized political force in the state…" Denver Post, 1925 1925 Downtown Denver KKK rally KKK member Clarence Morley serves as Colorado governor 1925-1927

Labor Unrest Workers still do not have basic rights 8 hr work day, minimum wage, breaks, safe conditions, right to have unions Strikers labeled as communists

Strikes Boston Police Steel Mill Coal Miners Raise Governor called National Guard All fired Steel Mill Shorter days, better wages, allowed unions Hired “strikebreakers” Coal Miners Shorter days, better wages Court ordered back to work Received 27% wage increase Didn’t get shorter days or weeks