Historical Background To Kill a Mockingbird Historical Background

Social and Economic Climate of the 1930s Wall Street Crash (October 1929) People invested in shares Prices increased Companies bogus  

Social and Economic Climate of the 1930s The Rise of Unemployment The Effect of the Wall Street Crash People saved money Withdrew money from banks Banks collapsed Companies went bankrupt Result Loss of jobs, homes, businesses, and land As a result, men and women began riding the rails to find food and work. Rivalry between blacks and whites became worse – competing for jobs and food.

Scottsboro Case Two Huntsville Mill Girls Hobo to Chattanooga Victoria Price 21 years old Known prostitute Employed at Margaret spinning mill Ruby Bates 17 years old Quiet and well behaved Wages were always low and hours long in all Huntsville Mills. Working conditions were especially bad in Margaret Mills. Respectable citizens of Huntsville said that only the lowest type of mill worker would take a job in the Margaret and Helen Mills. Mills were cutting back their hours – The Margaret had its workers on shifts employed only every other week, from two to four days a week.

Scottsboro Case The Alleged Rape According to Price’s testimony: African-American men forced white men off train Six men raped Price and Bates The Defendants Along with the two girls were several black and white men. A fight broke out between the men, all white men but one were thrown off the train. The white men who were thrown off informed the station master that the black men and two white girls were on the freight – master telegraphed ahead to have the train stopped. The train was stopped in Paint Rock, Alabama.

Scottsboro Case A Lynching Spirit Outside the Courtroom Officials maintain a peaceful crowd Armed soldiers on guard inside and outside the courtroom An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people gather outside the courthouse Outside the Courtroom One women said if they have another trial, she would like them to leave the soldiers home because the people could finish off the “black fiends” and save the bother of a second trial.

Scottsboro Case Political Cartoon

Scottsboro Case The Trial April 6, 1931 – April 9, 1931 Witnesses Price and Bates One white man (collaborated) Nine African-American men Acquaintance of women (did not collaborate) Physician Eight of nine men sentenced to death The physicians testified that neither of the girls showed signs of any rough handling on their bodies. Mistrial declared for ninth because of his youth. Executions suspended because of pending court appeals.

Scottsboro Case Trial Continues November 7, 1932 United States Supreme Court orders new trial March 27, 1933 the new trial begins Famous New York defense attorney Samuel S. Leibowitz Two physicians refute that multiple rapes occurred Ruby Bates openly denies rapes occurred April 9, 1933 first defendant found guilty Judge James Horton overturns conviction April 1, 1935 United States Supreme Court reversed all convictions New trials ordered – the defendants did not have adequate legal representation. Horton overturned verdict on the grounds that the evidence presented did not warrant conviction Later in 1933 2nd defendant found guilty – execution delayed pending appeal Convictions reversed on grounds that qualified African-Americans had been systematically excluded from all juries in Alabama None of the men are executed; however, a number remained on death row for many years. The case was not settled until 1976 with the pardon of the last of the Scottsboro defendants.

Parallels Between Scottsboro and Tom Robinson Trials Scottsboro Trial Tom Robinson’s Trial 1930s Northern Alabama Southern Alabama Rape charge by white women against African-American men Rape charge by a white woman against an African-American man Poor white status of accusers a critical issue Poor white status of Mayella a critical issue Central figure is a heroic judge Central figure is Atticus, who defends an African-American man Judge goes against public sentiment Atticus arouses anger in community defending Robinson Jury ignores evidence

Setting Maycomb, Alabama (fictional city) 1933-1935 Although slavery has long been abolished, the Southerners in Maycomb continue to believe in white supremacy.

Themes Racial Prejudice Social Snobbery Morality Tolerance Patience Equality The Need for Compassion The Need for Conscience

Harper Lee She was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama (the fictional “Maycomb, Alabama”) Her father “Amasa” was a lawyer whom she deeply admired Her mother’s maiden name was “Finch” Her own childhood mirrors that of the character “Scout” In 1960 she published her only novel – “To Kill a Mockingbird” It received the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1961 Since 1960, “To Kill a Mockingbird” has never been out of print At age 81, she is alive and resides in New York She rarely makes public appearances or gives interviews

Life During the 1930s Race Relations Nine black teenagers are falsely charged with raping two white women in Scottsboro, Alabama; eight are convicted and sentenced to death The U.S. Supreme Court reverses their convictions because their constitutional rights had been violated The teens are tried for a second time, and are again found guilty The Supreme Court reverses the convictions again Eventually, four of the defendants are freed; the other five serve prison terms The last Scottsboro defendant was paroled in 1950 It was virtually impossible for a black to receive a fair trial

Life During the 1930s The Great Depression sweeps the nation – Many families do not even have money for basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The per capita income for families in Alabama (and Oklahoma) is $125 - $250 a year Many southern blacks pick cotton for a living Franklin D. Roosevelt is President

Life During the 1930s Hitler is Chancellor of Germany He believes that Jews, African Americans, and other races are inferior to Anglo-Saxons. In 1936, Jesse Owens, a black American athlete, traveled to Germany to participate in the Summer Olympics. Owens’ biggest competitor in the long jump was a German named Luz Long. Despite racial tensions, the two became good friends. Jesse Owens won the gold medal and Long won the silver. Long was later killed during World War II, and Jesse Owens traveled back to Germany to pay his respects when the war was over.

Legal Segregation in Alabama, 1923-1940 No white female nurses in hospitals that treat black men Separate passenger cars for whites and blacks Separate waiting rooms for whites and blacks Separation of white and black convicts Separate schools No interracial marriages Segregated water fountains Segregated theatres