1 To Kill a Mockingbird Historical Background

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

3 The Effect of the Wall Street Crash PPeople saved money Withdrew money from banks Banks collapsed Companies went bankrupt RResult LLoss of jobs, homes, businesses, and land

4 Scottsboro Case Two Huntsville Mill Girls Hobo to Chattanooga VVictoria Price 21 years old Known prostitute Employed at Margaret spinning mill RRuby Bates 17 years old Quiet and well behaved Employed at Margaret spinning mill

5 The Alleged Rape AAccording to Price’s testimony: African-American men forced white men off train Six men raped Price and Bates The Defendants

6 Scottsboro Case A Lynching Spirit OOfficials maintain a peaceful crowd AArmed soldiers on guard inside and outside the courtroom AAn estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people gather outside the courthouse Outside the Courtroom

7 Scottsboro Case

8 The Trial AApril 6, 1931 – April 9, 1931 Witnesses PPrice and Bates OOne white man (collaborated) NNine African-American men AAcquaintance of women (did not collaborate) PPhysician Eight of nine men sentenced to death

9 Trial Continues NNovember 7, 1932 United States Supreme Court orders new trial M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 AApril 9, 1933 first defendant found guilty Judge James Horton overturns conviction AApril 1, 1935 United States Supreme Court reversed all convictions

10 Parallels Between Scottsboro and Tom Robinson Trials 1930s Northern AlabamaSouthern 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 judgeCentral figure is Atticus, who defends an African-American man Judge goes against public sentiment Atticus arouses anger in community defending Robinson Jury ignores evidence Scottsboro TrialTom Robinson’s Trial

11 To Kill a Mockingbird Historical Background Quiz Directions:  Visit the following Internet site:  Complete the To Kill a Mockingbird Background Quiz (click here to begin >>)