Tensions of the Early 1920s

Economy Suffered After WW1 Government had no plan for the transition back to peace time Government contracts for war materials ended suddenly Unemployment grew 4 million soldiers were demobilized (“demobbed”) Inflation occurred because Americans suddenly spent wartime savings when war ended Many farmers lost their farms; many businesses went bankrupt

Labor Struggles During WW1, the National War Labor Board had settled arguments between companies and workers to keep factories working Workers had received higher wages After war, wages fell; workers went on strike (1 in 10 workers struck sometime in Seattle was most famous.) Unions lost power –Middle-class Americans withdrew support, –Court cases removed wage supports –Unions were not united (especially for women and Blacks)

Radical Groups Success of Russian Revolution –Gave hope to radical American socialists and communists –Frightened middle-class Americans 1919: 34 bombs discovered by post office, addressed to industrialists and politicians “Red Scare” led to “Palmer Raids” when Attorney General Palmer raided homes of radicals, looking for weapons Foreign suspects were deported without trial Americans seemed willing to give up civil rights during this time of fear

Immigration after WW1 Immigration resumed its pre-WW1 levels “Nativists” feared the lost of “American” culture due to immigration Unemployed feared competing for jobs with immigrants Government passed the Emergency Immigration Act of 1921 and another in 1924 –Capped immigration –Set “Quotas” for each country –Banned all immigration from Asia Fear, dislike, hatred of immigrants rose to high level American Blacks, Asians, Jews, Catholics faced prejudice too

KKK Resurgence D.W. Griffith produced movie The Birth of a Nation which extolled the Ku Klux Klan National membership drive and fund raising increased membership and enriched founders Parades, attacks, even murders took place across country Provided sense of belonging to “nativist” Americans threatened by culture changing due to immigration and modernization Collapsed after publicity over leader David Stephenson whose secretary committed suicide after he raped her