Roaring Twenties Signs of Trouble!!
Under the surface of the good times millions were “steadily sinking…” Many Americans did not share in the boom of the 1920s: Coal workers faced hard times, oil replaced coal. Workers in the clothing industry suffered due to changes in women’s fashion
Farmers suffer During WWI, European countries needed American farm products– prices went up! After WWI, Europe was able to produce for their own needs- prices went down Farmers were unable to pay off their debt.
Labor Unions Suffer After WWI workers demanded high wages Owners were unable to meet the demands Workers went on strike The US government did not support these strikes.
The Red Scare After WWI, many Americans are afraid of communists and Anarchists. –Communists: an economic and political system in which the government controls the means of production. Single party rules by force and oppression. –Anarchist: people who oppose organized government.
Sacco & Vanzetti Trial The Red Scare reaches a climax with the trial of two Italian Immigrants Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. –Both are tried for murder. –Despite little evidence, both are convicted and sentenced to death. –US is fearful of immigrants who could be communists and anarchists.
Sacco & Vanzetti
Limits on Immigration Americans did not want Immigrants –Fear of losing jobs and lowering wages –Fear of anarchist and communist Quota Act of 1921 –Placed limits on immigration
Social Conflict 1925 Scopes Trial John Scopes, Biology Teacher Creationism vs. Evolution Trial gains National Attention Old vs. New Social Values
Social Conflict Great Migration Many Blacks leave the segregated South to find work in the North and West. Ku Klux Klan has its highest membership of all time. Marcus Garvey starts the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). –Back to Africa Campaign
Marcus Garvey
1927 – 50,000 Ku Klux Klan members march on Washington, DC
Election of 1928 Republican- Herbert Hoover Democrat- Alfred E Smith
1928 Election Herbert Hoover wins by a land slide