A Republican Decade

1920 Presidential Election Warren G. Harding promises Americans “A return to normalcy” and economic growth.

The Bolshevik Revolution –Czar Nicholas II is forced to abdicate because of WWI. –Alexander Kerensky leads the new government, and supports WWI and is very unpopular

–Vladimir I. Lenin promises “peace, land and bread” –His movement becomes very strong, and overthrows the government, seizes all property (some belonging to Americans)

–Civil war breaks out between the Bolsheviks (Reds) and the Republicans (Whites). The U.S. supports the Whites. –Reds win, withdraw from WWI.

o Lenin Advocates the worldwide spread of Communism.

The Red Scare –Americans were nervous about the Commies –Led to a sudden, intense fear of Communism, Radical Ideas, and Foreigners. This fear was collectively known as “The Red Scare”…

–Schneck vs. U.S.- “Clear and Present Danger” –Gitlow vs. New York – Upheld the convictions of anarchists –Palmer Raids – Govt. actively pursued perceived anarchists

–Sacco and Vanzetti – Two Italian anarchists were charged, convicted, and executed for a crime they didn’t commit because they were radical foreigners. Most Americans felt they were framed.

Strikes and the Red Scare 1920 – 350 strikes a month all over the U.S., and people blamed immigrants, communists, and radicals.

Boston Police Strike – goes on strike for higher wages. Future President Calvin Coolidge calls in the state police to break the strike.

 Coal and Steel Strike – government calls in the police to break the strike and “scabs” to replace the workers

 Both of these government stances are very anti- labor.

Republican Leadership Very Pro-Business Public felt the Republicans’ would be better suited to handle the Commies and the Economy

Scaled back the military Returned the US to an Isolationist policy. High tariffs to protect American Manufacturers.

Domestic Issues  Patriotism  Religion (Nativism)  Urban Conditions  Jobs  Red Scare

Immigration Quotas  Scales back immigration to pre levels (this is done to eliminate Southern, Eastern and Central Europeans)

Republican Scandals Many Scandals rocked the Harding administration Harding was most likely not involved Biggest scandal was the “Teapot Dome Scandal” – Money for Oil

May have contributed to his early death (or he may have been murdered…)

Calvin Coolidge “The chief business of the American people is business” “Laissez Faire”- “let happen”, “let do”