The Politics of the Twenties US History
Learning Targets We will take notes on the key elements that made the 1920’s roaring… –Politics –People
Return to Normalcy After the War-American’s wanted to return to a state of “normalcy” The 1920’s there were three trends in American society that led to the state of ‘normalcy’ 1. Renewed isolationism 2. A resurgence of nativism (suspicion of people who are not born in the United States) 3. Political Conservatism- opposite of the progressive area
THE RED SCARE IN THE UNITED STATES Red Scare is a result of Russian’s turning into communists U.S. citizens want to be LONERS again U.S citizens are nativists-??? 70,000 radicals joined the American Communist Party -less than 1/10 th of Americans
So, how many Americans turned into communists? About 6,000 Americans were sympathetic to the Communists So Palmer arrested them AMERICA RULES & so does this History Class
The Palmer Raids Palmer and Hoover -working for Division of Justice -later becomes FBI They hunted down anarchists, socialists, and communists –they were searching for weapons (explosives) and radicals –deported/jailed radicals –they only found 3 guns What do you think this cartoon means? Uncle Sam says “You might be considered a communist if you are a free thinker OR radical”
Does this look like anyone’s bedroom???
Sacco & Vanzetti - Sacco(a shoemaker) & Vanzetti (a fish peddler) -April 1920, height of the red scare the two Italian immigrants, draft dodgers and anarchists -accused of killing a factory paymaster and his guard -The court were prejudice -Sacco & Vanzetti had “struck out” before they even went to court WHY? They were Italian, Draft Dodgers & Anarchists! -Sacco and Vanzetti were charged and sentenced to the Electric Chair
Prohibition January 1920-the 18 th Amendment goes into effect Prohibition-bans the sale or transportation of alcoholic beverages Let me tell you about life before the 18 th amendment was passed…Men drank too much! They would come home mad & if the ladies were behaving…well that’s a depressing story! With a partner, what do you think this picture means? What was the purpose of it? Some called Prohibition…the “NOBLE EXPERIMENT”
Speakeasies and Bootleggers Speakeasies- were hidden saloons and underground night clubs You had to speak quietly “easy” Found everywhere –Office buildings, stores, tearooms, apartment buildings, homes Bootleggers- smuggling alcohol in your boots Stores sold pamphlets on who to distill liquor from fruits and vegetables Liquor was hid in water bottles, high boots I often serve the Cops so I don’t get into trouble Police Officer
I hope I don’t get busted with my moonshine!
Organized Crime Because cops and judges were easily bribed with alcohol during this time organized crime became huge Every city had gangs We will get those gangstas! Put down the booze & nobody gets hurt! In many big cities..the cops were selling Tommy Guns!
Al Capone Gangster From Chicago Bootlegging empire made over $60 million a year Legal system could never get him for killing or bootlegging He was arrested in 1931 for tax evasion He did not serve much time in jail He died from syphilis at the age of 48 Doesn’t he look like a nice guy?
Cool Down… What do you think this picture means?