Chapter 25, Section 4: A Nation Divided Main Idea: In spite of the prosperity of the 1920s, the nation was divided between rich and poor, native-born and immigrant, and black and white.

A. The Perils of Prosperity n n Many Americans did not benefit from the economic boom of the 1920s. Trouble on the Farm n During WWI, Europeans bought American farm goods u This drove prices up & caused farmers to borrow a lot of money to buy more land & equipment. n The end of WWI caused a sharp drop in farm prices u This caused many farmers to fall in deep debt & go bankrupt. Setbacks for Labor n Labor unions expected better treatment after “stepping up” during WWI, but didn’t get it (wanted more $). u They felt betrayed that government didn’t step in to help them. n Government support & public opinion turned against unions due to numerous strikes (seen as “un-American) u Rights of unions were limited by the courts (judges), too. u Company unions – unions controlled by management.

The Other Half: Farmers Europeans needed food. They bought U.S. farm products. U.S. farm prices increased. U.S. farmers borrowed money to buy more land and supplies. During World War I:After World War I: Europeans began to produce their own food again. The demand for U.S. farm products decreased. U.S. farm prices decreased. Farmers could not repay their debts.

B. The Red Scare n During WWI, Americans had been on high alert for enemy spies. This led to a fear of foreigners after the war. The rise of communism in the Soviet Union further increased these fears (Lenin – worker revolts). Hunting Up Radicals n Anarchists were people who opposed organized government (often violently). u Many were foreign born, leading to an outcry against all foreigners in the US. n Red Scare - fear of Communists (Reds) “taking over” America from within. u Thousands of radicals were arrested and jailed. u Palmer Raids = deportations (expelled from US) Sacco and Vanzetti n Trial that symbolized nativism in the 1920s. Trial u 2 Italian immigrants (known anarchists) were convicted of murder & executed (6 years later) with little evidence and a prejudiced judge. u Many thought they were convicted because they were immigrants and radicals, not from guilt.

“Red Scare” – Palmer Raids

C. Limiting Immigration n Nativism – anti-foreigner feelings in US The Quota System n After WWI, American workers feared new immigrants would force wages down. Others feared spread of communism & anarchy. n The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 limited the number of immigrants from each country allowed to enter the U.S. (very racist policy) u Only 3% of any group already in the US as of 1910 would be admitted. This system heavily favored Northern European nations (especially Britain). n In 1924, immigration from Eastern Europe was further reduced (they produced the most anarchists & Communists) & banned Japanese. Newcomers From Latin America n Mexicans poured into US (not part of quota system). n Jones Act (1917) – granted US citizenship to Puerto Ricans. Over 50 thousand came to NYC for a better life.

Northern & Western Europe Eastern & Southern Europe Other Countries CountryQuotaCountryQuotaCountryQuota Germany51,227Poland5,982Africa1,100 Great Britain34,007Italy3,845Armenia124 Ireland28,567Czech.3,073Australia121 Total #142,483Total #18,439Total #3,745 Total86.5%Total11.2%Total2.3% Closing the Golden Door: Immigration Quotas, 1925–1927

D. The Scopes TrialThe Scopes Trial n John Scopes, a biology teacher in Dayton, TN, was arrested in 1925 for teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to his students u This was illegal in Tennessee (& other states) because it contradicted the Bible. n The trial attracted national attention because two of the nation’s leading minds squared off against each other. u William Jennings Bryan – prosecution F Argued on behalf of religion u Clarence Darrow – defense F Argued on behalf of science n In the end, despite Darrow’s best efforts, Scopes is convicted and fined. u Many felt Darrow out-debated Bryan. u Many states still have anti-evolution laws in place, but they are rarely enforced.

· John Scopes, a Tennessee teacher, taught his students about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in violation of state law. The Scopes Trial John Scopes Evolution vs. Creationism Science vs. Religion

· During his trial, attorney Clarence Darrow defended Scopes and William Jennings Bryan represented the state. Clarence Darrow (left) and William Jennings Bryan (right) during the Scopes trial in Famous Lawyers · Scopes was convicted and fined, and the law against teaching the theory of evolution remained. Dayton teacher John Scopes, seen here during sentencing, was fined $100.

E. The New KlanThe New Klan n The KKK was resurrected in 1915 in GA. n During the 20s they widened their aim to include all minorities & immigrants (mainly Catholics & Jews). u After the CW, they targeted only African-Americans, mainly to keep them from voting. u Now, they want to “protect” the U.S. for WASPs. n They used cross burnings, whippings, & lynchings to intimidate & terrorize targets. n Membership peaked in the mid-20s, but then dropped sharply due to scandals by their leaders. Racial Tensions in the North n Following WWI, African-Americans continued to face segregation in the South & racism in the North. n Many moved to northern cities during & after WWI for factory jobs, but were met with discrimination & resentment from white workers.This led to race riots. Marcus Garvey n Organized the Universal Negro Improvement Assoc. n His “Back to Africa” movement built racial pride. u Urged blacks to seek their roots in Africa (few did, though).

· The goals of the resurrected Ku Klux Klan were to preserve the U.S. for white native-born Protestants. The New Klan Ku Klux Klan members parading along Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C., 1925 The Ku Klux Klan reached its greatest strength in the 1920’s, with a membership of over three million people.

The Ku Klux Klan Great increase In power Anti-black Anti-immigrant Anti-women’s suffrage Anti-bootleggers Anti-Semitic Anti-Catholic

· Many African-Americans moved north during and after World War I in search of factory jobs. Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series

Marcus Garvey Marcus Garvey formed the Universal Negro Improvement Association and promoted pride and unity among African-Americans.

F. Election of 1928 n Herbert Hoover (R) vs. Alfred E. Smith (D) Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover u Hoover (former Secretary of Commerce) was supported mostly by rural Americans, big business, & those who supported Prohibition. u Smith (former governor of NY) was supported mostly by city dwellers, immigrants, & Catholics (he was the first Catholic to run for President). n Hoover won in a landslide, even though Smith won the 12 largest cities. u Americans wanted to keep the good times rolling with the Republicans (previous 8 yrs.) u Hoover’s joy will be short lived, however, when the economy crashes w/in a year.

The Election of 1928 Democratic candidate: Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York Republican candidate: Herbert Hoover, a Midwesterner Alfred E. Smith, the first Catholic to run for President, received support among Catholics and city dwellers. Herbert Hoover received support mostly from Protestants & small-town voters.