It was the best of times, it was the worst of times……

Nativism: a wave of prejudice against foreign-born people Communism: an economic and political system based on a single-party government ruled by a dictatorship The “RED SCARE”: Panic in the US about communism after the Russian Revolution. 70,00 Radicals in the US joined the communist party. Several dozen bombs were mailed to government and business leaders, people feared the communists were taking over. Palmer Raids: Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer began raiding anyone who seemed suspicious. It never turned up evidence.

Sacco and Vanzetti Nicola Sacco, shoemaker Bartolomeo Vanzetti, fish peddler Italian Immigrants Anarchists Evaded the draft during WWI Arrested and charged with robbery and murder Both had alibis Evidence against them was circumstantial Judge made prejudicial remarks Found guilty and sentenced to death

“Keep America for Americans” Immigrants had grown from 141, ,000 Emergency quota act of 1921: goal was to cut European immigration to the U.S. KKK membership 4.5 million in 1924-white male, native-born citizens The Klan opposed unions, destroyed saloons, drove Roman Catholics, Jews and foreign-born people out of the country.

Electricity Alternating Electrical Current: enabled electricity to be distributed more efficiently over longer distances. The number of electrified houses grew, although most farms still lacked power. Most families had electric irons Wealthy families had electric refrigerators, electric ranges and toasters. Electrical appliances made the lives of housewives easier, freed them for other community and leisure activities, and coincided with a growing trend of women working outside of the home.

Buy Now….Pay Later Easy Credit- 1 dollar down, 1 dollar forever Banks provided money at low interest rates

Superficial Prosperity The average factory worker was producing 50% more at the end of the decade than at the start. National income grew from $64 billion in 1921 to $87 billion in 1929.

The Needy Industries such as textile and steel manufacturing made very little profit, jobs replaced with machinery Mining and farming suffered losses Farmers saw a boom during WWI, so they borrowed money for more equipment to produce more crops. After WWI, demand for crops decreased, and prices fell. Many American farmers could not make their loan and mortgage payment.

Let the good times roll Amusement Parks

The Golden Age of Sports Boxing – Heavily influence by the underworld; would hob knob with gangsters and associates – Al Capone was a supporter of Jack Dempsey College Football – Build huge stadiums – Broadcast on the radio – ND wanted to get in the big 10 but couldn’t because they were Catholic

Green Bay Packers – Set up by meat packing industry to entertain workers. NFL was created in 1921 – Had low status because it had black coaches and players

Decatur Staleys Become Chicago Bears

Baseball Babe Ruth-60 home runs in 1927 Lou Gehrig- Gehrig scored over 100 runs and drove in over 100 runs for 13 straight seasons. He led the American League in runs 4 times, home runs three times, runs-batted in five times, on-base percentage five times, and batting average once