Attacks on Civil Liberties

Pair-Share: Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press” (First Amendment 1791) What do you think this statement means? What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?

In general, civil liberties are protections against government. The listing of the general rights of the people can be found in the first ten amendments in the Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights. The term civil rights is sometimes reserved for those positive acts of government that seek to make constitutional guarantees a reality for all people. In general, civil liberties are protections against government. They are guarantees of the safety of persons, opinions, and property from arbitrary acts of government.

Standard 11.5.2 Analyze the international and domestic events, interests, and philosophies that prompted attacks on civil liberties, including the Palmer Raids, Marcus Garvey's "back-to-Africa" movement, the Ku Klux Klan, and immigration quotas and the responses of organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Anti-Defamation League to those attacks.

Essential Question What events, interests, and philosophies prompted attacks on civil liberties during the 1920’s?

Life After WWI Please listen carefully to information that explains what life was like in the 1920’s

Key Words Nativism Red Scare Birth of a Nation To be in favor of Native born (white) Americans Red Scare Red symbolized Communism Fear of Communism in America Birth of a Nation Popular movie which promoted the superiority of the white race

Post War Intolerance

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National Origins Act of 1924 Background: 1 million immigrants entered the US from 1900-1914 The new law allowed only 150,000 immigrants a year into the US every year It also favored immigrants from Northwestern Europe (England, Ireland, and Germany,) Immigrants from Asia and Africa were not allowed into the US Purpose of Act: To discriminate against CERTAIN immigrants

How were civil liberties suspended?

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Ku Klux Klan Rose to power in the 1920’s Estimated 4 million members In favor of “nativism” (White Americans) Purpose: racism towards African Americans, anti-Jews, anti-immigrants

Film clip; Nativism & KKK

The Ku Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan

Lynching

“Strange Fruit” Southern trees bear a strange fruit Blood on the leaves, and blood at the root Black bodies swingin’ in the southern breeze Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees Oh, oh, oh Pastoral scene of the gallant south Of the bulgin’ eyes and the twisted mouth Scent of magnolia, sweet and fresh And the sudden smell of burning flesh Here is a fruit for the crows to cluck For the rain to gather and for the wind to suck Fro the sun to rot, for the trees to drop Oh, here is a strange and bitter crop

Song: “Strange Fruit” What is the mood of the song? How does the song make you feel? What is the “strange fruit” the song speaks of? How does this song describe the horrors of lynchings? What do you think those involved in writing and performing this song hoped to accomplish? Do you think their goals were realized in the 1920’s?

How were civil liberties suspended?

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Sacco and Vanzetti Background: Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian, Catholic, anarchist immigrants accused of murder They did not receive a fair trial, judge was biased against immigrants Sacco and Vanzetti were executed Purpose: Symbol of distrust for immigrants

Film Clip: Sacco and Vanzetti

How were civil liberties suspended?

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The Scopes Trial The Scopes Trial was fought over teaching evolution in schools. Evolution in public schools used to be illegal ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) hired Clarence Darrow to defend Johns Scope and his ability to teach evolution. Scopes was found guilty by William Jennings Bryan and evolution remained illegal in schools.

Film Clip: The Monkey Trial

The Scopes Trial

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Palmer Raids Background: Fear that communism would spread to America and overthrow democracy Mitchell Palmer arrested 10,000 people (mostly immigrants) who were suspected of being communists People who were arrested were denied basic rights under the Bill of Rights and were deported

How were civil liberties suspended?

Essential Question What events, interests, and philosophies prompted attacks on civil liberties during the 1920’s?