Conservative Reaction in the 1920s Women of the Klan Marching in Front of the Broome County Court House
Historical Context: The Twenties What comes to mind when you think about the 1920s? Changing Gender Roles New Styles & Behaviors Rapid Economic Expansion Cultural Renaissance Political Corruption The “Roaring Twenties”
Conservative Reactions to Rapid Change Nativism Political Intolerance Temperance Christian Fundamentalism Racial Tensions A Temperance Poster The Twenties Were Also an “Age of Conservatism”
Nativism Nativism: Anti-immigrant feeling Quota Acts (National Origins Act)… set strict limits on immigration, especially from Eastern & Southern Europe Based on scientific racism Reflected growing nativist & anti-radical sentiment by groups like the KKK
The Second Ku Klux Klan Founded at Stone Mountain, GA 1915 by former minister William Simmons Release of film “Birth of a Nation” in 1915 popularized & glamorized the KKK Targeted not just African-Americans but also Jews, Catholics and immigrants in general By mid-1920s national membership reportedly reached 4.5 million
The Klan Arrives Broome County Klan activity in Broome County first noted on St. Patrick’s Day 1923 when KKK pamphlets were left on doorsteps 20,000 workers (many of whom were immigrants) in the Triple Cities during the 1920s, including 12 E-J factories Local KKK was partly a reaction to this immigration
Binghamton as State Klan Headquarters 1923 Binghamton chosen as NYS headquarters for the KKK State-wide conventions held, including cross-burnings and rallies in Endicott & Whitney Point In 1924 George F. Johnson received anonymous letter from a Klan member threatening a boycott of EJ Shoes unless he fired foreign workers New York State Klan Headquarters Henry & Wall Streets, Binghamton
Klan Rally at Stow Flats Fairgrounds July, 1924
Local Klan Meetings
“Sister” Aimee McPherson Religious Revival 1920s Marked a Rise in Religious Fervor Rise of Fundamentalists “Sister” Aimee, Billy Sunday, and Other Radio Evangelists Reached Mass Audiences “Sister” Aimee McPherson
The Scopes “Monkey” Trial -High School teacher John Scopes is tried for teaching evolution in Tennessee -Became a debate on evolution & religious fundamentalism -First major trial to reach a mass audience as it was broadcast live on the radio Clarence Darrow & William Jennings Bryan
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) -Groups like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) fought to outlaw alcohol, prostitution, and other vices -Also pushed for some liberal reforms like Women’s Suffrage -In Broome County, appeared to ally with the local KKK
Prohibition -Despite ratification of 18th Amendment, “bootlegging” remained common -“Speakeasies” like P.J. Clarke’s in New York City continued to sell alcohol Detectives Posing in Front of a Confiscated Distillery during Prohibition in Broome County
Race Riots WWI sparked the “Great Migration” of African-Americans to northern cities This led to conflicts with whites over jobs and housing, esp. as white soldiers returned Chicago, 1919
A. Mitchell Palmer, U.S. Attorney General The Red Scare A. Mitchell Palmer, U.S. Attorney General -Response to Russian Rev. & Bombs Sent Palmer & Other Gov. Officials -10,000 Suspected Communists & Anarchists Arrested -249 Deported to Soviet Union -Labor Unions like IWW targeted
Sacco & Vanzetti Trial -Italian Immigrants & Anarchists -Convicted of Murder w/out Much Evidence -Reflects both Nativism & Anti-Radicalism -Controversial Execution Sacco & Vanzetti