Politics and Prosperity Read the timeline on Page 710

A Republican Decade Setting the Scene Introduction

Russia in 1917 What is going on with Russia’s government? Vladimir Lenin takes power Promises “Peace, land, and bread” Lenin made peace with Germany He put all privately owned farms, industries, land, and transportation under government ownership

The Red Army vs. The White Army Lenin’s Red Army of communists VS. The White Army who consisted of: Former landowners, government officials, and Russian army leaders British, French, Japanese, and U.S. support The Red Army was successful

The (USSR) Union of Soviet Socialists Republics Communism was the ideology of Russia Openly Anti-American – Why? Communism means: Government owns all land and property A single political party controlled the government The needs of the country always took priority over the rights of individuals Communism’s appeal? A classless society

Lauren will you marry Tai-wan?

American’s Fear American’s feared the spread of communism Why were they concerned? Communists tried to overthrow the new German government Communists came into power in Hungary Seattle strikes Bombs sent in the mail Newspapers/media fanned the flame An intense fear of communism became known as the RED SCARE

Court Cases during the Red Scare Schenck v. U.S. Charles Schenck was writing soldiers to avoid the draft Was convicted of breaking the Espionage Act Charles Schenck cited free speech What was the Court’s decision? Gitlow v. New York Bernard Gitlow was convicted of social anarchy He had been calling people to overthrow the government Court’s Decision?

The Palmer Raids Attorney General of the U.S. A bomb damaged his home He decided to set up a special force To conduct raids and arrest suspected “subversives” Targets: Communists, Socialists, and anarchists http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qutgIfhUL7g Sacco and Vanzetti What happened? – Read page 715

Strikes The Boston Police Strike Steel and Coal Strikes Effect: Riots Steel and Coal Strikes U.S. steal hired a private police force to squash strike Brought in African American workers The American Federation of Labor (AFL) Opposed labor radicalism and communism Fought for higher wages, shorter hours, and the right to organize workers Membership in labor unions peaked at 5 million workers during the Red Scare

Republican Leadership From 1921-1933 Republican Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover were presidents Favored business Sought social stability

Isolationism What is it? Why did Americans want it? Harding did not join the League of Nations Still wanted international stability Worked towards disarmament Got major military powers to downsize their navies

The Fordney-McCumber Tariff Raised import taxes to historically high levels Discouraged imports that competed with goods made by American industries Why would these tariffs have annoyed Europeans? Great Britain and France owed the U.S. for their help in the war Britain and France called for debt cancelation The U.S. responded by lower the debt

The Dawes Plan Germany’s economy was ruined after the war Could not pay the war reparations G.B. and the U.S. developed the Dawes Plan Set a payment plan schedule Reorganized the German national bank Approved a loan to Germany

Domestic Issues - Nativism Americans > Immigrants Why? Explain Patriotism Religion Urban Conditions Jobs Red Scare Harding created a quota on immigrants

The Teapot Dome Scandal Corruption in Harding's administration What was the scandal? There was no evidence the president was involved BUT he may have died from heart issues related to it Scandals included: One official stole government funds Bribes were given for contracts Teapot Dome Scandal

The Coolidge Presidency “The chief business of the American people is business” What did Coolidge think government should do with business? Laissez-faire Lower taxes and raise tariffs Read page 720 2nd paragraph under Laissez Faire

The Kellogg-Briand Pact 15 nations pledged not to use the threat of war in their dealings with one another 60 nations eventually joined U.S. was skeptical Eventually Secretary of State Kellogg decided to join Was this pact realistic? Why or why not?

HOOVER! (only president from Iowa) Read The Election of 1928 on page 721