United States Postwar Issues Ch 20 Pg 618

Postwar Trends Nativism – prejudice against foreign-born people. Isolationism – a policy of pulling away from involvement in world affairs. Communism – an economic & political system based on a single party gov. ruled by a dictatorship.

Red Scare Red Scare – a panic in the U.S. that began in 1919 after Russian revolutions. Attorney General took control… Hunted down suspected Communists, socialists, & anarchists Trampled civil rights

Limiting Immigration “Keep America for Americans” Anti-Immigrant feelings had been growing Fewer unskilled jobs…fewer immigrants should be let into the country. Red Scare & Anti immigrant feelings lead to violent groups. Ku Klux Klan – keep “blacks ‘ in their place’” Targeted Catholics & Jews as well.

Quota System Emergency Quota Act of 1921 – set up the quota system Established the max number of people who could enter the U.S. from a country. Law prohibited Japanese immigration Japan had abided by the Gentleman’s Agreement limiting Japanese immigration. Japan expressed anger over the insult.

Labor Unrest Severe postwar conflicts formed b/w labor & management. Gov. wouldn’t allow workers. Boston Police Strike Steel Mill Strike Coal Miners’ Strike Union membership declined Immigrants would work in poor conditions Immigrants hard to organize b/c of language Farmers relied on themselves Unions excluded African Americans

Harding Presidency Struggles for peace Organized a Navel Conference U.S., Great Britain, Japan, France, & Italy agreed to disarm Signed the Kellogg-Briand – renounced war as a national policy.

Harding’s Problems Corrupt friends used their offices to become wealthy through graft. Teapot Dome Scandal – Gov. sent aside oil-rich public lands at Teapot Dome, Wyoming. Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall tool bribes becoming the first American to be convicted of a felony while holding a cabinet post.

Harding’s Problems Harding declared “I have no trouble with my enemies…But my…friends, they’re the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!” Harding died suddenly Vice-President Coolidge assumed the Presidency. Restored integrity & faith in the gov. Was elected President in the next election

Answer the following questions Why did America move toward isolationism? How did Americans react to the perceived threat of communism? Why were so many people upset about the Sacco and Vanzetti case? Why did the U.S. limit immigration? How did the anti-immigration sentiment strengthen the KKK’s attack on ethnic and religious minorities? How did the KKK regard foreign-born Americans? What was the quota system? Why did conflict between labor and management increase after the war? Why did the public turn against strikers? Why did labor union membership decline in the 1920s? What was Harding’s attitude towards the reforms of the Progressive Era? Why was the Kellogg-Briand Pact ineffective? How did Harding’s tax policy on imports affect Britain and France and the war debt issue? How did Harding’s friends damage his administration? How did the corruption scandals contribute to Harding’s death?