1. Post-War Issues of the 1920’s

2. Post-War Trends Isolationism – a policy of withdrawing from involvement with other nations Nativism – prejudice against foreign-born people – Membership in the KKK grows and the Klan dominate state politics Fears of communism and socialism lead to several widespread panics or red scares – Communism – a radical ideology that desires a classless society with no private property. Often results in a single-party government, lead by a dictator People were afraid communists and anarchists were plotting to overthrow the government

3. Panic Spreads Palmer Raids (1919) – a series of government raids on private homes and businesses for the purpose of finding suspected communists and anarchists – Lead by Attorney General Mitchell Palmer and his special assistant, J. Edgar Hoover Sacco and Vanzetti –Italian immigrants and anarchists accused of robbery and murder – Were they targeted because they were immigrants and radicals? – Many in the public did not believe the men received a fair trial; – Both men were found guilty and executed

4. “Keep America for Americans!” With fewer jobs available for unskilled laborers, many want to restrict immigration; Congress decided to limit immigration from certain countries by using a quota system; – The quota system established the maximum number of people who could enter the U.S. from each foreign country – The goal was to curb immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe; Catholics and Jews – It also prohibited immigration from Japan

5. Labor Unrest Employers are very hostile to labor; – Don’t want employees joining unions – Labeled striking workers “communists” Boston Police Strike – Strike is broken and striking workers not allowed to return Steel Mill Strike – 300,000 workers walk out – Strikebreakers hired, violent force used against workers – Workers win shorter work day, but not allowed to unionize Coal Mine Strike – Striking miners receive wage increase, but not a shorter workday or workweek Labor movement suffers and union membership declines