Problems After World War I
Post WWI Rise in Nativism (prejudice against foreign-born) Rise in Isolationism (pull away from involvement in foreign affairs)
Reasons Fear of Communism Communism- economic and political system where one party dominates and controls economy In US Red Scare- fear that Communism would spread to America Communist Party formed- many workers joined
Palmer Raids US Government (Palmer and J. Edgar Hoover) Invade private homes and offices Jail suspects without allowing them counsel Deport foreign born Communists Goal- hunt down and get rid of suspected Communists
US Attorney General Palmer Palmer Raids After a Palmer Raid Palmer Raid Cartoon US Attorney General Palmer
Sacco and Vanzetti Case Sacco and Vanzetti- two Italian born immigrants Arrested and charged with robbery and murder During trial- they provided alibis, evidence was circumstantial and judge made prejudicial remarks Sacco and Vanzetti found guilty and put to death
Protest rally after the case Sacco and Vanzetti Vanzetti and Sacco Protest rally after the case
Nativism Limits on Immigration Quota system- set limits on how many people could enter US from each country Emergency Quota Act of 1921 Limited European immigration Prohibited Japanese immigration
Ad for movie about the Klan- make $60 million Rise of KKK 1924- Klan membership reached 4.5 million Klan beliefs Keep blacks “in their place” Destroy saloons Oppose Unions Drive Roman Catholics, Jews and foreign- born people from US Ad for a Klan lecture
Labor Unrest Strikes attributed to Communism- create a negative view of labor unions Boston Police Strike- 1919 police strike over pay raise, strike put down and government a hero Link workers to Communism Steel Mill Strike- 1919 workers strike for shorter hours and better pay Workers linked to Communism Public views putting strike down as a good thing- prevent spread of Communism Coal Miners Strike- 1920 mine workers want better pay, shorter hours End with workers getting 27% pay raise but not shorter hours
Tea Pot Dome Scandal Scandal involving President Warren Harding Sold Oil Reserves to private companies without bidding- like a secret deal or bribe Secretary of Interior Fall was found guilty of accepting bribes Lead to more distrust of government and big oil companies Ohio Gang- group of politicians and business owners who made up Harding’s cabinet Very corrupt