The Politics of the 1920’s The Harding Administration Chapter 17 Section 1

The 1920’s AKA the Jazz Age, the Age of Intolerance, and the Age of Wonderful Nonsense AKA the Jazz Age, the Age of Intolerance, and the Age of Wonderful Nonsense The new decade would be a time of change for everyone — not all of it good. The new decade would be a time of change for everyone — not all of it good. The close of World War I saw the United States recede into an inward-looking stance. The close of World War I saw the United States recede into an inward-looking stance. U.S. raised tariffs on imported goods, and free immigration came to an end. U.S. raised tariffs on imported goods, and free immigration came to an end.

Harding Political Philosophy: “a return to normalcy” or “normal” life after the war. Political Philosophy: “a return to normalcy” or “normal” life after the war. He was charming and easy-going He was charming and easy-going conservative, laissez- faire attitude conservative, laissez- faire attitude

Distinguished Appointments Charles Evans Hughes: supreme court justice to secretary of state (concerned with foreign affairs) Charles Evans Hughes: supreme court justice to secretary of state (concerned with foreign affairs) Herbert Hoover: food administration to secretary of commerce (concerned with business and industry) Herbert Hoover: food administration to secretary of commerce (concerned with business and industry) Andrew Mellon: business man to secretary of the treasury (concerned with finance and money) Andrew Mellon: business man to secretary of the treasury (concerned with finance and money)

Disastrous Appointment High level jobs to friends High level jobs to friends Harding more comfortable around his “old poker-playing friends”, the Ohio Gang Harding more comfortable around his “old poker-playing friends”, the Ohio Gang Spent a lot of time drinking, smoking, & playing poker (page 591, quote) Spent a lot of time drinking, smoking, & playing poker (page 591, quote) Used their positions to sell government jobs, pardons, and protection Used their positions to sell government jobs, pardons, and protection Harding passed away before many of the Scandals were unveiled. Harding passed away before many of the Scandals were unveiled.

1. Forbes Scandal Colonel Charles R. Forbes (head of the Veterans Bureau) Colonel Charles R. Forbes (head of the Veterans Bureau) Sold hard to find medical supplies from the Veterans'’ hospitals and kept the $$$ for himself Sold hard to find medical supplies from the Veterans'’ hospitals and kept the $$$ for himself

2. Teapot Dome Scandal Albert B. Fall (Secretary of the Interior) Albert B. Fall (Secretary of the Interior) Secretly allowed private interests to rent the lands containing US Navy oil reserves. Secretly allowed private interests to rent the lands containing US Navy oil reserves. In return, Fall received kickbacks ($300,000) In return, Fall received kickbacks ($300,000) Investigation lead to the Supreme Court which lead to 1 st cabinet member to go to prison. Investigation lead to the Supreme Court which lead to 1 st cabinet member to go to prison.

3. Daugherty Scandal Harry M. Daugherty, Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty, Attorney General German owned companies in the US seized during WWI German owned companies in the US seized during WWI German agents bribed politicians to seize back control German agents bribed politicians to seize back control Bribes ended up in Daugherty’s bank account Bribes ended up in Daugherty’s bank account Refused to testify under oath Refused to testify under oath

“Silent Cal” Calvin Coolidge-Republican Vice President sworn in August of 1923, elected in 1924 for one term. Laissez-faire, pro-business, not concerned about farmers Could be “silent in five different languages”.

Policies of Prosperity “The chief business of the American people is business.”- Calvin Coolidge Andrew Mellon becomes Sec. of Treasury and will be for 3 presidents. Mellon wanted to reduce the budget, reduce gov’t debt, and cut taxes. Supply-side economics-if taxes are less, Americans would take the extra cash and spend it or re-invest it into the economy. We call this “trickle-down” economics today. This economy will boom during the “Roaring ’20s” but will come back to haunt us in the 1930s.

Foreign Policy Under Sec. of State Charles Evan Hughes, American tried to use economic power to promote peace and stability. 1.Dawes Plan-try to help Germany repay its reparations or war payments. Why would this be important to the US? 2.Washington Naval Conference -Tried disarmament of navies in five countries. 3.Kellogg-Briand Pact- in Aug. of 1928, 14 countries agreed to abandon war and settle disputes peacefully. Not binding or official.

The Jazz Age Society in the 1920s Mass Media in the Jazz Age Cultural Conflicts

Henry Ford Assembly Line and Mass Production

Model T

Lower prices and more production in the long run will lead to more prophet.

Cultural Conflicts in the 1920s PROHIBITION PROHIBITION The 18 th Amendment to the Constitution The 18 th Amendment to the Constitution Made manufacturing of alcohol illegal. Made manufacturing of alcohol illegal. Most people chose to ignore it. Most people chose to ignore it.

Goals of Prohibition Eliminate drunkenness Eliminate drunkenness Causing abuse of family Causing abuse of family Get rid of saloons Get rid of saloons Prostitution, gambling dens Prostitution, gambling dens Prevent absenteeism and on-the-job accidents stemming from drunkenness Prevent absenteeism and on-the-job accidents stemming from drunkenness

How Effective was Prohibition? They drank in the White House They drank in the White House 1924 – Kansas had 95% of people obeying the law not to drink – Kansas had 95% of people obeying the law not to drink. Only 5% of New Yorkers obeyed the law. Only 5% of New Yorkers obeyed the law. Contrast between rural and urban moral values. Contrast between rural and urban moral values.

Bootlegging Those that would manufacture, sell and transport liquor, beer, and wine. Those that would manufacture, sell and transport liquor, beer, and wine. Started from drinkers who hid flasks in the leg of their boots. Started from drinkers who hid flasks in the leg of their boots.

Bootleggers Canadians were making whiskey. Canadians were making whiskey. Caribbean was making rum. Caribbean was making rum. Smugglers took ships out to sea, met speed boats who outran the Coast Guard to harbors where they transported the alcohol to warehouses. Smugglers took ships out to sea, met speed boats who outran the Coast Guard to harbors where they transported the alcohol to warehouses.

Speakeasies Bars that operated illegally. Bars that operated illegally. To get into a speakeasy – you needed a password or be recognized by a guard. To get into a speakeasy – you needed a password or be recognized by a guard. Sometimes hidden behind legit businesses. Sometimes hidden behind legit businesses.

Speakeasies Before Prohibition the whole state of Massachusetts had 1,000 saloons. Before Prohibition the whole state of Massachusetts had 1,000 saloons. AFTER Prohibition Boston alone had 4,000 speakeasies and 15,000 bootleggers. AFTER Prohibition Boston alone had 4,000 speakeasies and 15,000 bootleggers.

Organized Crime Early in Prohibition – there was competition between gangs to supply liquor to speakeasies. Early in Prohibition – there was competition between gangs to supply liquor to speakeasies.

Organized Crime Territories expanded and gang warfare erupted over turf and control of the liquor. Territories expanded and gang warfare erupted over turf and control of the liquor. Tommy Guns Tommy Guns Sawed off shotguns Sawed off shotguns Murder on the streets Murder on the streets

Al Capone The most famous and brutal gangsters were in Chicago. The most famous and brutal gangsters were in Chicago. Racketeering was EVERYWHERE Racketeering was EVERYWHERE Chicago and his suburb of Cicero Chicago and his suburb of Cicero

Alfonse “ Scarface ” Capone Born in NYC to Sicilian immigrants. Born in NYC to Sicilian immigrants. Dropped out of school at 14. Dropped out of school at 14. Nasty fighter reputation. Nasty fighter reputation. Moved to Chicago in Moved to Chicago in 1919.

Al Capone 200 murders are directly tied to Capone. 200 murders are directly tied to Capone. St. Valentine ’ s Day Massacre was also his work. St. Valentine ’ s Day Massacre was also his work. With Prohibition, he made $100,000,000, but he purchased this modest house (on left) With Prohibition, he made $100,000,000, but he purchased this modest house (on left)

Al Capone For all his murders and assaults, he was eventually imprisoned for not paying taxes. For all his murders and assaults, he was eventually imprisoned for not paying taxes. Ended up at Alcatraz Prison. Ended up at Alcatraz Prison. Released early and died of syphilis Released early and died of syphilis

SPORTS HEROES OF THE 1920s Radio, newsreels, and more sports reporting made sports BIG business. Radio, newsreels, and more sports reporting made sports BIG business. Jack Dempsey 1921 – world heavyweight champion boxer. Jack Dempsey 1921 – world heavyweight champion boxer.

Sports Heroes of the 1920s Jim Thorpe Jim Thorpe Won gold medals in the Olympics in the decathlon and the pentathlon. Won gold medals in the Olympics in the decathlon and the pentathlon. Played professional baseball Played professional baseball Played professional football Played professional football First president of the NFL First president of the NFL

The Sultan of Swat George Herman “ Babe ” Ruth George Herman “ Babe ” Ruth Between playing for the Yanks and the Sox – 714 homeruns. Between playing for the Yanks and the Sox – 714 homeruns. Unbroken record for 40 years. Unbroken record for 40 years.

Female Athletes Gertrude Ederle – Olympic swimmer Gertrude Ederle – Olympic swimmer First woman to swim the 35 miles of the English Channel First woman to swim the 35 miles of the English Channel Beat the men ’ s record by 2 hours. Beat the men ’ s record by 2 hours.

African Americans Move North 1865: 93% of African Americans lived in the South. 1865: 93% of African Americans lived in the South. 1930: 80% 1930: 80% BUT BUT Jobs weren ’ t much better in the North Jobs weren ’ t much better in the North Racial hatred in North Racial hatred in North Women often worked as low-paid domestics. Women often worked as low-paid domestics.

The Garvey Movement Some African Americans frustrated by violence and discrimination dreamed of a new homeland. Some African Americans frustrated by violence and discrimination dreamed of a new homeland.

The Marcus Garvey Movement Banks and business investment for just African Americans. Banks and business investment for just African Americans. Urged a return to “ Motherland Africa ” to create a new country. Urged a return to “ Motherland Africa ” to create a new country. Started “ Black Pride ” from prison and after he was deported to Jamaica. Started “ Black Pride ” from prison and after he was deported to Jamaica.

W.E.B. Dubois Didn ’ t think the answer was separation of the races. Didn ’ t think the answer was separation of the races. Also didn ’ t approve of Garvey ’ s business practices. Also didn ’ t approve of Garvey ’ s business practices. Equality through culture Equality through culture

Harlem Renaissance 1914: 50,000 African Americans in Harlem. 1914: 50,000 African Americans in Harlem. 1930: 200, : 200,000 Home to many clubs, theaters and performing halls Home to many clubs, theaters and performing halls

Heroes of Jazz Louis Armstrong (1901 – 1974) Louis Armstrong (1901 – 1974) “ Satchmo ” and “ The Gift ” “ Satchmo ” and “ The Gift ” New Orleans to Chicago to the world. New Orleans to Chicago to the world. Trumpet and singing “ scat ” Trumpet and singing “ scat ”

Jazz Heroes “ Duke ” Ellington “ Duke ” Ellington 17 years old – played jazz in clubs in Washington DC at night and painted signs in the day. 17 years old – played jazz in clubs in Washington DC at night and painted signs in the day. Wrote thousands of songs and had his own band. Wrote thousands of songs and had his own band.

The Jazz Age The radio audience and the African American migration to the cities made jazz popular. The radio audience and the African American migration to the cities made jazz popular. Improvisation of music Improvisation of music Syncopation – offbeat rhythm. Syncopation – offbeat rhythm.

The Jazz Age The 1920s were a time of rapid social change in which many people – particularly women – adopted new lifestyles and attitudes. The 1920s were a time of rapid social change in which many people – particularly women – adopted new lifestyles and attitudes.

The Flapper Wore shorter dresses than their mothers. (9- inch hemline for mom) Wore shorter dresses than their mothers. (9- inch hemline for mom) Short hair and hats to show off short hair Short hair and hats to show off short hair Bobbed hair Bobbed hair Wore make up Wore make up Drank and smoked in public Drank and smoked in public

Women and the Vote 1920 – women were allowed to vote – women were allowed to vote. Only 35% of the women eligible to vote did vote! Only 35% of the women eligible to vote did vote! By women in state legislatures. By women in state legislatures. Jeanette Rankin – first woman congresswoman. Jeanette Rankin – first woman congresswoman. From Montana From Montana

American Heroes Charles Lindbergh Charles Lindbergh Lucky Lindy Lucky Lindy May 20, 1927: First man to fly non-stop New York to Paris. May 20, 1927: First man to fly non-stop New York to Paris. 33 ½ hours 33 ½ hours THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS – plane THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS – plane Won $25,000 Won $25,000

Charles Lindbergh Learned to fly in Lincoln, NE! Learned to fly in Lincoln, NE! Was even more respected for his modesty about his fame. Was even more respected for his modesty about his fame.

Charles Lindbergh Made other flights surveying and advising airlines. Made other flights surveying and advising airlines. Tragedy in his life. Tragedy in his life. Kidnapping and murder of his firstborn son. Kidnapping and murder of his firstborn son. Seen as being pro- Hitler when WWII began. Seen as being pro- Hitler when WWII began.

Amelia Earhart 1928 – first woman to cross the Atlantic in a plane – first woman to cross the Atlantic in a plane – first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic – first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. First to fly from Hawaii to California. First to fly from Hawaii to California.

Amelia Earhart 1937 – was on a journey to be the first to circumnavigate the world in a plane – was on a journey to be the first to circumnavigate the world in a plane. Disappeared over the Pacific. Disappeared over the Pacific. Mystery Mystery

Glenn Curtiss Invented ailerons to change altitude of aircraft Invented ailerons to change altitude of aircraft

Mass Media and the Jazz Age The founding of Hollywood The founding of Hollywood Drew film makers to the area in Drew film makers to the area in Variety of landscapes (mountains, desert, ocean) Variety of landscapes (mountains, desert, ocean) Warm climate Warm climate Lighting was better Lighting was better Large work force from LA. Large work force from LA.

Movies Until 1927 movies were silent. Until 1927 movies were silent. The first sound film THE JAZZ SINGER – 1927 The first sound film THE JAZZ SINGER – 1927 Al Jolson Al Jolson Going to the “ talkies ” was a popular pastime. Going to the “ talkies ” was a popular pastime.

Stars of the 1920s Greta Garbo Greta Garbo Swedish star Swedish star “ I want to be alone. ” “ I want to be alone. ” Charlie Chaplin Charlie Chaplin The Tramp movies The Tramp movies

Radio 1920 Westinghouse Electric engineer Frank Conrad put a transmitter in his garage in Pittsburgh. Read news, played music Westinghouse Electric engineer Frank Conrad put a transmitter in his garage in Pittsburgh. Read news, played music. KDKA – the FIRST American radio station. KDKA – the FIRST American radio station.

Radio By radio stations across the country. By radio stations across the country. National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) offered radio stations programming. National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) offered radio stations programming.

Newspapers and Magazines Golden Age of newspapers. Golden Age of newspapers. EVERY town had a newspaper. EVERY town had a newspaper. The rise of newspaper chains. The rise of newspaper chains. Some owners had monopolies on the news in their states. Some owners had monopolies on the news in their states.

Evolution and the Scopes Monkey Trial Fundamentalists in Tennessee passed a law saying that evolutionary theory could not be taught in schools. Fundamentalists in Tennessee passed a law saying that evolutionary theory could not be taught in schools. 1925, high school biology teacher, John Scopes taught his students about Charles Darwin. 1925, high school biology teacher, John Scopes taught his students about Charles Darwin. Was arrested that day. Was arrested that day.

The Scopes Monkey Trial Drama between two of the best lawyers in the nation Drama between two of the best lawyers in the nation Clarence Darrow Clarence Darrow William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan Mass media allowed 2 million people to listen to the trial. Mass media allowed 2 million people to listen to the trial.

The Scopes Monkey Trial Dramatic moment and never done since. Dramatic moment and never done since. Darrow put Bryan on the stand to testify as an expert on the Bible. Darrow put Bryan on the stand to testify as an expert on the Bible. Showed flaws in some of his logic Showed flaws in some of his logic

The Scopes Monkey Trial Darrow lost the case but won the point with the public. Darrow lost the case but won the point with the public. Darrow a defender of science and reason Darrow a defender of science and reason Bryan was a martyr for the cause Bryan was a martyr for the cause Died days after the trial ended. Died days after the trial ended.