1. Attacks on Civil Liberties

2. Pair-Share:
Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press” (First Amendment 1791)
What do you think this statement means?
What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?

3. In general, civil liberties are protections against government.
The listing of the general rights of the people can be found in the first ten amendments in the Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights.
The term civil rights is sometimes reserved for those positive acts of government that seek to make constitutional guarantees a reality for all people.
In general, civil liberties are protections against government.
They are guarantees of the safety of persons, opinions, and property from arbitrary acts of government.

4. Standard
Analyze the international and domestic events, interests, and philosophies that prompted attacks on civil liberties, including the Palmer Raids, Marcus Garvey's "back-to-Africa" movement, the Ku Klux Klan, and immigration quotas and the responses of organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Anti-Defamation League to those attacks.

5. Essential Question
What events, interests, and philosophies prompted attacks on civil liberties during the 1920’s?

6. Life After WWI
Please listen carefully to information that explains what life was like in the 1920’s

7. Key Words Nativism Red Scare Birth of a Nation
To be in favor of Native born (white) Americans
Red Scare
Red symbolized Communism
Fear of Communism in America
Birth of a Nation
Popular movie which promoted the superiority of the white race

8. Post War Intolerance

9. Image #1
Level 1 Question________________________________

10. National Origins Act of 1924
Background: 1 million immigrants entered the US from
The new law allowed only 150,000 immigrants a year into the US every year
It also favored immigrants from Northwestern Europe (England, Ireland, and Germany,)
Immigrants from Asia and Africa were not allowed into the US
Purpose of Act: To discriminate against CERTAIN immigrants

11. How were civil liberties suspended?

12. Image #2
Level 2 Question________________________________

13. Ku Klux Klan Rose to power in the 1920’s Estimated 4 million members
In favor of “nativism” (White Americans)
Purpose: racism towards African Americans, anti-Jews, anti-immigrants

14. Film clip; Nativism & KKK

15. The Ku Klux Klan

16. The Ku Klux Klan

17. Lynching

18. “Strange Fruit” Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves, and blood at the root
Black bodies swingin’ in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees
Oh, oh, oh
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
Of the bulgin’ eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolia, sweet and fresh
And the sudden smell of burning flesh
Here is a fruit for the crows to cluck
For the rain to gather and for the wind to suck
Fro the sun to rot, for the trees to drop
Oh, here is a strange and bitter crop

19. Song: “Strange Fruit” What is the mood of the song?
How does the song make you feel?
What is the “strange fruit” the song speaks of?
How does this song describe the horrors of lynchings?
What do you think those involved in writing and performing this song hoped to accomplish?
Do you think their goals were realized in the 1920’s?

20. How were civil liberties suspended?

21. Image #3
Level 1 Question________________________________

22. Sacco and Vanzetti
Background: Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian, Catholic, anarchist immigrants accused of murder
They did not receive a fair trial, judge was biased against immigrants
Sacco and Vanzetti were executed
Purpose: Symbol of distrust for immigrants

23. Film Clip: Sacco and Vanzetti

24. How were civil liberties suspended?

25. Image #4
Level 2 Question________________________________

27. The Scopes Trial
The Scopes Trial was fought over teaching evolution in schools.
Evolution in public schools used to be illegal
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) hired Clarence Darrow to defend Johns Scope and his ability to teach evolution.
Scopes was found guilty by William Jennings Bryan and evolution remained illegal in schools.

28. Film Clip: The Monkey Trial

29. The Scopes Trial

30. Image #5
Level 3 Question________________________________

31. Palmer Raids
Background: Fear that communism would spread to America and overthrow democracy
Mitchell Palmer arrested 10,000 people (mostly immigrants) who were suspected of being communists
People who were arrested were denied basic rights under the Bill of Rights and were deported

32. How were civil liberties suspended?

33. Essential Question
What events, interests, and philosophies prompted attacks on civil liberties during the 1920’s?