Mexican Americans and the Roaring Twenties 10/20/2017 6:42 PM Mexican Americans and the Roaring Twenties © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

Economics Prosperity dating to World War I “Open Door” Consumerism ILLUSION (see handout) “Open Door” Consumerism Middle class growth BUT ILLUSION - top 1% controls 20% of the nation’s income 1929 – top 1% controls 30% of the nation’s income

How do you fill the gap between production and wages (allowing people to consume)? CREDIT Industrial production in the 1920s Middle class wages in the 1920s

Artistic Explosion Harlem Renaissance Jazz Latin Jazz Big Band

Women - flappers “corrupt” “flirtaceous” Condemned

Prohibition 18th Amendment “Section1: After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.”

connections connections World War I Attack in “Zee Germans”

Drinking in U.S. Early 19th century Largely Protestant Average American drank 7 gallons per year. Decreased over course of 19th century and viewed as an “immigrant” issue.

Enforcement? NY – 7000 arrested, 17 convicted. Agents who entered "the 21 Club" to search for alcohol were fired. 1925, a number of northern states passed laws banning police from enforcing prohibition Government hired 2500 agents. Indiana - banned hip flasks and martini shakers. US sent $5 million on enforcement.

Ku Klux Klan Anti – everyone The Birth of a Nation David Stevenson

Sacco and Vanzetti Italian immigrants Anarchists Murder of paymaster April 15, 1920 Sentenced to death 1921 Evidence circumstantial and on appeal many witnesses changed testimony Executed 1927

Political Fear of immigrants Anarchists Radicalism Magón and PLM Zapatistas and Villistas El Plan de San Diego Immigration Act of 1924 Ethnic groups can enter US at a rate of 2% of their 1890 population. Set quotas on Latino populations Box Bill (1926)

Segregation

Urbanization 50% of Mexican Americans lived in urban centers by 193o. San Antonio Phoenix Los Angeles Houston

Living Conditions Poverty Temporary housing turned permanent Endurance and resiliency Continued mutualista tradition Religious organizations

Education Segregated Trade oriented Sydney Lanier HS (San Antonio) “Voks”

Mexican American Response Escuelitas Catholic Schools Protestant schools Methodist and Episcopal Separatism San Felipe ISD (1929) Trinidad (CO)

Court Battles Jesus Salvatierra v Del Rio ISD (1930) Lemon Grove Case Roberto Alvarez v The Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District