A Brief Introduction to 1920s American Politics

A Brief Intro to 1920s Politics                                               Warren G. Harding was elected as President in 1920 He is remembered for the variety in the quality of his cabinet ministers. For example, there were cases of corruption such as in the Teapot Dome Scandal where the Secretary of Interior Albert Fall, took bribes from the oil industry.

In 1924 Calvin Coolidge became president “Cool Cal” or “Silent Cal” rarely spoke and let the businesses in America do what they wanted. Coolidge’s motto was “the business of America is business”. During Coolidge’s presidency the nation experienced prosperous times.

Immigration There was a good deal of intolerance to immigrants interesting given that it is by definition a nation made up of immigrants!) For example, the Sacco and Vanzetti Case On May 5, 1920 two Italian immigrants (Nicola Sacco and Bartolemeo Vanzetti) were arrested for the murder of two individuals. Since Sacco and Vanzetti were immigrants and anarchists they were sentenced to death with little evidence. This trial showed America’s resentment towards both immigrants (Nativism) and anarchists / communists.

Conservatism v Liberalism A more liberal attitude in some areas of society led to a challenging of Conservative orthodoxy. For example, Women who felt liberated by the women’s suffrage (voting) movement. These women began to wear dresses that came to their knees and participated in social and political events. The women who adopted this more “boyish” look were known as Flappers. Dance and Music also became freer and more lively in a reflection of the liberalising of society.

Evolutionism vs. Creationism The Scopes Trial (Monkey Trial) In 1925, John T. Scopes (a high school biology teacher) was put on trial for teaching evolution. The debate was supposed to be over a teacher’s right to choose what to teach, but turned into what scientific theory was right: Evolutionism or Creationism.

Prohibition On January 16, 1920)- The 18th amendment to the constitution Prohibiting the sale, manufacture and transportation of liquor was passed . In 1933, the 21st amendment repealed the prohibition of alcohol.

Prohibition Prohibition was a failure because people refused to comply with the new law. People would go to Speakeasies to buy alcohol. and Prohibition helped create the Mafia and brought Al Capone to prominence. Capone was eventually convicted of tax evasion and sent to Alcatraz.

Women’s Suffage On 26 August 1920 Congress and 37 states gave women the right to vote. This campaign was led by Carrie Chapman Catt.

The Politics of Colour Race and the rights of the African American have been a political issue throughout American history. There were some significant leaders of Black politics in the 1920s W.E.B. Du Bois helped start the N.A.A.C.P. (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). This organization protested the “shameful treatment of the African-Americans”.

The Politics of Colour cont. Marcus Garvey began the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Garvey expressed two main views: 1. Black people should go back to Africa 2. “Black is beautiful”.

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