Postwar 1920's

Postwar Trends America was entering a period of difficult transition Ex) Returning soldiers, cost of living doubled, economy suffered after war Nativism- prejudice against foreign-born people Isolationism- policy of pulling away from involvement in world affairs

Red Scare Communism- economic an political system based on a single-party gov. ruled by a dictatorship Americans feared of a communist revolution like the one in Russia Communist Party started in US…dozens of bombs mailed to gov. and business leaders “Red Scare” named after the symbolic red flag

Anarchy Anarchist- person who opposes any form of gov. Palmer Raids- US Attorney General Palmer and J. Edgar Hoover hunted down suspected communists, socialists, and anarchists Invasive and illegal to civil rights, the Palmer Raids were more of a witch hunt

Sacco and Vanzetti Italian immigrants; known anarchists; draft dodgers May 1920, arrested for robbery and murder of a factory paymaster Despite lack of evidence the two men were executed Protests rang out because of the men’s double minority status (Italian/Anarchist) Case represented America’s fears of the time

Immigration Issues Ku Klux Klan (KKK)- rose again to 4.5 million members after red scare and nativist movement Quota System (1921)- limited the number of immigrants to come over European immigrants discriminated against (2% of nationals in US could immigrate) Japanese immigration prohibited

The Birth of a Nation is, "like writing history with lightning The Birth of a Nation is, "like writing history with lightning. And my only regret is that it is all so terribly true.” -Woodrow Wilson

Labor Unrest Boston Police Strike- Mass. Gov. Coolidge broke up police strike by hiring all new staff and was hailed as savior Steel Mill Strike- 300,000 strikers; strikebreakers and troops combated strikers; strikers portrayed as “commys” Coal Miners Strike- Led by John L. Lewis, negotiated deal to receive a 27% wage increase

Warren G. Harding Won 1920 presidential election as a Republican Strong anti-war advocate Charles Evans Hughes- Sec. of State urged countries to scrap their naval ships in avoidance of future conflicts Fordney-McCumber Tariff- Raised tax on US imports to 60%, hindering France and Britain from paying off war debt

Harding Presidency Presidency shrouded in graft and corruption Ohio Gang- Harding’s cabinet members who included his “poker playing cronies” Teapot Dome Scandal- Oil rich lands set for Navy that were transferred to Interior Dept. then to private oil companies More than $400,000 received illegally VP Coolidge took over for what became to be known as the worst presidencies ever in 1924

American Business Flourishes Coolidge favored lowered taxes to give Americans more money in their pocket Ford started producing the Model A in 1927 Automobiles became backbone of American industry in 1920’s and this lasted until 1970’s

Impact of Automobile Increased production and consumption of automobiles led to increase in road creations Route 66- Legendary road from Chicago to Los Angeles Finished in 1926; almost 2,500 miles long Urban sprawl- Increase in urbanization and suburbanization based on automobile

Standard of Living Average annual income raised 35% ($522-$705/year) Electricity contributed to this by making it easier for factories to run machines and for homes to utilize it Advertising was used widespread to influence consumers Psychologists were hired to find people’s desires for youthfulness, wealth, health, and beauty

Superficial Prosperity Americans believed that this financial prosperity would never end More big business mergers happened; major department stores like Woolworth emerged Installment Plan- enabled people to buy goods over an extended period of time… “Enjoy while you pay” Purchasing goods on credit led would later come back to haunt Americans