Post War America Americans seek a “Return to Normalcy” after the war Political Trends: Renewed Isolationism Increased Nativism Conservatism – going back to traditional practices and against radical changes Fear of Communism

The Red Scare began in the United States in 1919, after the Bolsheviks established a communistic nation in Russia – goal for communists were to spread communism everywhere. Believed revolution would start when workers would take control and overthrow the capitalist system. Communist Party formed in the US At some point several dozen bombs were mailed to the government and business leaders. Some of these attacks came from anarchists as well Public became fearful

1908 – The Federal Bureau of Investigation is established to investigate suspected communists Before Americans usually looked to cities, counties, and states to fulfill most government responsibilities. J. Edgar Hoover – the longest serving director of the FBI

After the US Attorney General was attacked twice by terrorists, and after a some violent strikes took place, the FBI and US Justice Department staged a series of raids against known anarchists and communists. Hundreds were arrested and 556 people deported.

Immigration Issues 1921 – US alone has 805,000 immigrants Emergency Quota Act- limits immigration from each country to 2% Why? Immigrants were having a negative wage effect on native-born Americans Increasing political power of immigration groups Red Scare

Membership grew Supported “100% American”

Prohibition January the 18 th amendment took effect, prohibiting alcohol Alcohol was viewed as a major cause of crime However it would give rise to organized crime and gangster - rule

Prohibition “Speakeasies” – hidden saloons where liquor was sold illegally. Eventually taken over by gangsters.

Prohibition “Bootleggers” – brought alcohol into the US illegally Often by strapping liquor onto their legs in high boot

Prohibition Era Gangsters Al Capone Ran Chicago Made $60 million per year by bootlegging Also sold narcotics, prostitutes, and gambling Bugsy Siegel Bootlegger and gangster moved to California then Nevada to achieve his dream of building a gambling mecca in Las Vegas

Prohibition Era Gangsters George “Baby Face” Nelson Bonnie and Clyde Bank robber and murderer Killed more FBI agents in the line of duty than any other American Citizen Bank robbers and murderers Eventually ambushed and killed in Louisiana by law officers

End of Prohibition 1932 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt called for the repeal of prohibition Wanted to increase federal revenue during the Great Depression December 1933 – the 21 st amendment was ratified

Henry Ford & the Automobile Goal was to allow “ordinary people” to buy his cars. Transformed the assembly line Employees could stay in one spot while the parts were brought to them Through this method Ford was able to mass produce enough cars to sell them at greatly reduced prices.

Influence of the Automobile Brought many changes Paved roads Gas stations Hotels Family Vacations Rural families could travel to the city for shopping and entertainment Freedom!! These changes created jobs and unemployment declined American people have more money to spend!

Influence of the Automobile Also led to “urban sprawl” Workers travel miles to get to work, but live outside the city Led to the creation of suburbs

Spending changes in the 1920’s Airplanes used as transportation (no longer used for just war) Widespread use of electrical appliances, store bought clothes and food Washing machine Vacuum cleaners Refrigerators Stove Toasters Irons

Increased mass culture activities Increased advertisement became a booming business to get Americans to buy these luxury items Creation of the installment plan Credit system by which payment for merchandise is made in installments over a fixed period of time

Society became more tolerant of drinking, gambling, and casual dating Faster-paced life News coverage increases Radio become the most powerful communication tool

The Twenties Woman World War I and suffrage brought changes for women The “Flapper” Embraced new fashions and urban attitudes More assertive Smoke and drink in public Dancing Casual dating Work outside the home

The 20’s Attitude Affects Families Birth control more accepted Marriages by choice (few arranged) Divorce rate doubles Fewer children per family Teenagers more rebellious Express themselves through popular culture More education available to teenagers Modern high school emerges Credit buying leads to false sense of prosperity

Radio and Movies Radio and Movies were the most impactful developments in media Radio became the 1 st source of mass communication and entertainment Molded a national culture where people across the country enjoyed the same shows and heard the same news reports

Radio and Movies The movie industry boomed in the United States People flocked to the big screen. Defined national culture People wanted to wear the same clothes, drive the same cars, and other fads popularized by Hollywood Movie stars became national icons apQ3qw

Harlem Renaissance Flourishment of black culture Movement took place in New York Cause: Great Migration moved African Americans to Northern cities This increase in black racial pride and awareness led many black intellectuals to produce works of art Mostly portraying the daily lives of working –class African Americans

Musicians New Style of music: Jazz Duke Ellington Jazz pianist and composter Louis Armstrong Trumpet player Bessie Smith Blues singer “Empress of Blues” 0SgXJqHc&list=AL94UKMTqg- 9DCN79kF1uFkOb_goddltPb

Tin Pan Alley Center of the music industry in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The name refers to the various music houses in New York City where songwriters and musicians composed and published songs

Musicians Irving Berlin Composer and lyricist Wrote “God Bless America”, “White Christmas”, and many others Composed 17 film scores, 21 Broadway scores, and 3,000 songs. _zF7a0wB-Lg

Writers of the 1920’s Langston Hughes (Harlem Renaissance Writer) Wrote poetry and short stories Free expression, embrace culture, racial equality Ernest Hemingway A Farewell to Arms F. Scott Fitzgerald “The Great Gatsby” Protested US ideals and materialism