1. 17.1 African American History Racism

2. Strikes and the Red Scare In 1919-1920, Americans were worried by labor unrest and afraid the communists (Reds)in the new Soviet Union would try to incite a revolution in America Across the country workers went on strike for better wages and working conditions Worried that these strikes were a prelude to a communist revolution politicians went after foreigners and workers often violating their rights in the process

3. The Red Scare Political leaders warned that communists and foreign agents were plotting to overthrow the govt. Attorney General Mitchell Palmer ordered 249 aliens deported and over 6,000 arrested and imprisoned Some business leaders supported these raids as a means to discourage workers from joining unions

4. The Red Scare African-Americans that had recently come North to industrialized cities during the Great Migration were also involved in organized labor and targeted during the Red Scare The great fear of communist takeover during the 1920’s is known as the Red Scare

5. Scientific Racism Many white Americans believed the US was under siege as European immigrants and black migrants flooded into cities Some writers began to claim that these “inferior” peoples were threatening the “great race” of N. Europeans and their descendants by intermixing. These racist claims were presented as scientific studies and strengthened the cause of white supremacy

6. Scientific Racism In 1921 and 1924 Congress passed laws restricting immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe as well as Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia These laws were meant to “protect America from the threat of immigration

7. The Birth of A Nation In 1915 the film Birth of A Nation was released which depicted Ku Klux Klan members as heroes in the South African Americans were depicted as ignorant and immoral in the film. The film incited racial violence against blacks in incidents across the country The NAACP fought to have this film banned, however, they’re campaign of protest only increased publicity for the film

8. The Birth of A Nation The NAACP fought to have this film banned, however, they’re campaign of protest only increased publicity for the film Protests did however increase NAACP membership

9. The Ku Klux Klan The KKK had disappeared after Reconstruction, but was resurrected shortly after the release of Birth of A Nation This new version of the KKK were white supremacists but also anti-immigrant, anti- Semitic and anti-Catholic The Klan found enormous support among apprehensive middle class Americans uncomfortable with the increasingly diverse population

10. KKK Klansmen used violent intimidation to convey their beliefs. They burned synagogues and churches. And beat, branded and lynched their opponents By 1925, the Klan had an estimated 5 million members and 40,000 of them marched in Washington DC that year It became a strong political force in several states

11. Assignment 1. Define Red Scare. How did politicians take advantage of this climate of fear? 2. What was the result of the release of the film Birth of a Nation? 3. How did the NAACP react to the film? 4. What was “scientific racism”? What fears did it reflect? 5. Why was the Ku Klux Klan so popular and powerful in the 1920’s?

12. BLACK ORGANIZATIONS OF THE1920’S 17.2

13. THE NAACP The NAACP’s membership grew from 9,000 in 1916 to 90,0000 by 1920 James Weldon Johnson became field secretary in 1916 and was pivotal in in the group’s growth He exposed the ugly details of lynching

14. THE NAACP Walter White was another instrumental figure in the NAACP during this era. Due to his light complexion he was able to move amongst whites to expose racial discrimination and violence

15. THE NAACP The NAACP fought hard in Congress for anti-lynching legislation known as the Dyer bill Although the bill was ultimately defeated they succeeded in publicizing the mob violence that existed in the country Johnson blamed the failure of the bill on Republican senators

16. WHITE PRIMARIES The NAACP relied on the judicial system to protect black people The Democratic party in the South banned black people from membership, this excluded them from voting in primary elections The Republican party had nearly ceased to exist in the South The winner of these white primaries went on to win the general election

17. Nixon v. Herndon The NAACP filed suit in 1924 over the exclusion of black voters from the Democratic primary In 1927, the Supreme Court ruled in Nixon v. Herndon that these primaries were unconstitutional This was the first victory in what would become a 20 year legal struggle to protect the black vote in primary elections in the South

18. Assignment 1. How did the NAACP change in the 1920’s? 2. Describe the important roles of James Weldon Johnson and Walter White. 3. What was the Dyer bill? Why was it defeated? 4. Analyze the importance of black inclusion into democratic primaries? 5. Explain the significance of the decision Nixon v. Herndon.

19. UNIA and Pan- Africanism 17.2.2

20. MARCUS GARVEY AND THE UNIA Marcus Garvey’s United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) became the largest mass movement of black people in American history Garvey was a charismatic speaker that enabled people to celebrate their heritage Racial pride, Christian faith and economic cooperation were key elements of his group

21. UNIA Garvey was born in Jamaica in 1887, and worked as a labor leader and public speaker advocating for the rights of black workers across Latin America He formed the UNIA in Jamaica in 1914 and stressed the need for black people to organize for their own advancement He was influenced by Booker T. Washington’s ideas on self help Garvey agreed that most black people could not aspire for equality because they had done nothing to establish their right to it (yet)

22. UNIA in America Garvey came to the US in 1916 during the Great Migration and his message resonated with the urban working class His message quickly spread throughout the black community The UNIA established businesses that employed nearly 1,000 people and ran the Negro World newspaper

23. Back To Africa Garvey promoted the idea of returning black people to Africa by way of his steamship company the Black Star Line He purchased three ships and hoped to establish a country in Africa However, he lacked the financial means to maintain the ships and was not permitted to gain land on the continent

24. End of the UNIA The US government and other African American leaders lead to the downfall of the UNIA Garvey’s message was at odds with the ides of WEB DuBois and the NAACP. He wanted a separate successful black race whereas, DuBois felt the Talented Tenth would lead the race to liberation working within white society 8 prominent leaders wrote letters calling for Garvey’s prosecution when he was indicted for mail fraud

25. End of the UNIA The Bureau of Investigation had sent officers to infiltrate the UNIA and compile evidence to deport Garvey Garvey was sent to prison for fraudulent use of the US mail. Selling stock in the Black Star Line via the postal service was illegal Garvey’s sentence was commuted by President Calvin Coolidge and he was deported. He never again returned to America

26. End of the UNIA The UNIA declined steadily after his conviction However, the UNIA was very influential. Garvey’s followers included Reverend Earl Little who was the father of Malcom X. He would instill Garvey’s ideas in his son.

27. Pan-Africanism This was the era of Imperialism and all but two nations in Africa were under European colonial control Black leaders shared an interest in ending colonial control Africa The Pan-African Congress met throughout the early 1900’s and hoped to influence the decisions of world leaders regarding an independent Africa They called for self-government for black colonies These Congresses met twice in the 1920’s but failed to influence the policies of colonial powers

28. ASSIGNMENT 1. Why did the UNIA and Marcus Garvey’s message appeal to so many? 2. Explain the key elements of Garvey’s message? 3. What was the Black Star Line? Why wasn’t it successful? 4. Explain the fate of Garvey and the UNIA. 5. What were the goals of the Pan-African Congress? Were they successful? Why or Why not?