Post-War America

The Post-War Mood Americans were disappointed and disillusioned by the war. Most Americans who had been excited by participation in The Great War no longer thought it had been a good idea, and didnt understand why we went. As a result, the country turned its energies toward economic interests and isolationism.

The Red Scare It started due to a communist takeover in Russia in People thought that the immigrants would bring those commies thoughts to the US. The Red Scare will result in an attempt to stop immigration.

What happened in the Red Scare? Many labor strikes Bomb packages sent by anarchists Results? The Palmer Raids- The Feds sent Russian immigrants back to Russia. The Sedition Act was used to deport anyone who had radical ideas or wanted violent overthrown of the government. On New Years Eve of 1920, Palmers people raided 33 cities and arrested 4000.

Sacco-Vanzetti Trial Both of these men were sentenced to death. They were accused of murdering two men including a payroll master. They had possession of the murder weapon, but no proof was offered of the crime itself. The two men had supported radical ideas toward the US. Americans were intolerant of that and many felt this is why they were eventually executed.

The Quota System This law pass as a partial response to the scare limited immigration into this country. Only European were welcomed at a certain percentage. Asians were excluded.

Warren G. Harding Wins the election of 1920 over Cox (and FDR) What did his administration do: -Washington Conference -higher tariffs -limits on immigration

Harding Scandals Affairs with women Weak leadership The Ohio Gang: His assistant to the attorney general was taking bribes between gangsters and politicians (Jesse Smith), he pocketed some of the money, got caught and endued up shooting himself. Charles Forbes (Vet Adm) swindled 250 million from Americans by taking kickbacks. Albert Fall (Sec of Interior) used government land to pocket money in deals with Harry Sinclair.

Calvin Coolidge Harding died after a goodwill trip to Alaska. In San Francisco, he died of a heart attack. Some think he may have been poisoned by his wife. His time was very prosperous. He is remembered for saying: The business of America is business. Millionaires increased from 4500 in 1914 to 11,000 by Americans held 40% of the worlds wealth. One-third of the US wealth was in the hands of only 2% of the people. This led to a split between the very rich and poor. Farmers will continue to struggle. Coolidge is easily re-elected in 1924: Keep cool with Cal

Rise of the Klan The KKK returned with a few changes. Now it was: Anti-black Anti-Jew Anti-Catholic and Anti-immigrant