A New Era: 1920’s

I. Postwar American Attitudes Disillusionment Society lacked idealism Sense of personal alienation American obsessed with materialism and outmoded moral values Fear of Bolshevism Red Scare 1919-1920 Palmer Raids Restricting Immigration Over 800,000 immigrants came to the US in 1920-21. National Origins Act Gave preference to European immigrants and restricted African and Asian immigrants Sacco and Vanzetti Two Italian anarchists executed in 1927 Symbolized the mistrust of immigrants in the US.

II. Politics and Government in the 1920’s The Harding Years (1921-1923) Election of 1920 Warren G. Harding – “ a return to normalcy” Business Normalcy Wanted to reduce government regulation in business Labor union declined due to prosperity Harding’s Scandals “The Ohio Gang” – friends of Harding who used connections to skirt the law and enrich themselves Teapot Dome Scandal Secretary of Interior took bribes to set aside land for Teapot dome Harding became distraught and died in office in 1923

III. The Coolidge Era (1924-1928) Election of 1924 Democratic party divided over prohibition and Ku Klux Klan Republicans – promised to keep businesses thriving Coolidge won easily – due to prosperity Domestic Affairs Believed in Lassiz-faire “The business of America is business” Did not help farmers like businesses Foreign Affairs Worked to promote peace through agreements Kellogg-Briand pact – attempted to outlaw war Pact was weak because it no way of being enforced