Postwar America Modernity Versus Tradition

Turmoil at Home Caused by economic, cultural and political changes Caused by economic, cultural and political changes

I. Economic Turmoil A. U.S. economy faces downturn due to: 1. End of war goods manufacture 1. End of war goods manufacture 2. Increase in unemployed veterans 2. Increase in unemployed veterans 3. Cost of living increase 3. Cost of living increase

II. Political Turmoil A. Due to: 1. Fight over the League of Nations 1. Fight over the League of Nations

II. Political Turmoil 2. Union Strikes 2. Union Strikes a. Coal miners strike 1919, led by UMW leader John L. Lewis. a. Coal miners strike 1919, led by UMW leader John L. Lewis. b. Boston Police Strike 1919, crushed by Governor Coolidge and the National Guard b. Boston Police Strike 1919, crushed by Governor Coolidge and the National Guard “There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, anytime.” --Governor Calvin Coolidge --Governor Calvin Coolidge

III. Cultural Turmoil A. Due to A. Due to 1. Fear of Communists 1. Fear of Communists a. Communism has roots in The Communist Manifesto (1848) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels a. Communism has roots in The Communist Manifesto (1848) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels i.struggle of haves vs. have-nots, capital vs. workers i.struggle of haves vs. have-nots, capital vs. workers b. Communist revolution in Russia (1917) b. Communist revolution in Russia (1917) i. known as “Reds” i. known as “Reds” ii. U.S. sends troops to fight Reds ii. U.S. sends troops to fight Reds c. American Communist party numbers 70,000 c. American Communist party numbers 70,000 i. Terrorist bombings aimed at business and govt. i. Terrorist bombings aimed at business and govt.

III. Cultural Turmoil B. Immigration B. Immigration 1. Up 600% from Up 600% from Most new immigrants from Catholic south European countries (included many Jews) 2. Most new immigrants from Catholic south European countries (included many Jews) 3. Fear that these would take jobs from “real Americans” 3. Fear that these would take jobs from “real Americans”

Backlash In the form of fear, paranoia, racism and civil rights violations In the form of fear, paranoia, racism and civil rights violations

IV. Isolationism A. Withdrawal from the world A. Withdrawal from the world B. Rejection of League of Nations B. Rejection of League of Nations

V. Red Scare A. fear of Communist conspiracy leads Attorney General Palmer and Special Assistant J. Edgar Hoover to crackdown on suspected radicals A. fear of Communist conspiracy leads Attorney General Palmer and Special Assistant J. Edgar Hoover to crackdown on suspected radicals 1. Known as “the Palmer Raids” 1. Known as “the Palmer Raids” 2. Involved massive violations of constitutional and civil rights 2. Involved massive violations of constitutional and civil rights 3. Resulted in large scale deportations absent due process 3. Resulted in large scale deportations absent due process 4. Failed to uncover conspiracy 4. Failed to uncover conspiracy

VI. Sacco & Vanzetti Trial A. Italian immigrants and left wing radicals A. Italian immigrants and left wing radicals 1. Accused of killing paymaster and guard in Braintree MA 1. Accused of killing paymaster and guard in Braintree MA 2. Trial is international controversy 2. Trial is international controversy 3. Trial not conducted fairly or legally 3. Trial not conducted fairly or legally 4. Both Convicted and Executed 4. Both Convicted and Executed 5. Sacco likely guilty 5. Sacco likely guilty

Unit Three Reflection #1 Sacco was likely guilty and his conviction,albeit unfair, might well have saved lives. Sacco was likely guilty and his conviction,albeit unfair, might well have saved lives. Palmer probably deported some future terrorists, but disregarded the U.S. Constitution to do so. Palmer probably deported some future terrorists, but disregarded the U.S. Constitution to do so. The United States after 9/11 skirted the law during interrogations and searches, but we have not had a terrorist attack since. The United States after 9/11 skirted the law during interrogations and searches, but we have not had a terrorist attack since. Question one: What is more important? Protecting rights, or protecting lives. Why? Question two: Can government do both? If yes, How? Question three: Should civil rights be temporarily curtailed during war? Why? Question four: Should citizens have more rights than foreign nationals? Why? Question five: Would you be willing to risk your life in order to preserve your civil liberties? Why?

VII. Immigration Quotas A. Emergency Quota Act of 1921 A. Emergency Quota Act of Set 2% quota for immigration based on 1890 nationality figures 1. Set 2% quota for immigration based on 1890 nationality figures 2. Limited European immigration to 150,000 per year 2. Limited European immigration to 150,000 per year 3. Banned Asian immigration 3. Banned Asian immigration 4. Racially and religiously discriminatory 4. Racially and religiously discriminatory

VIII. The Return of the Klan A. Founded by General Forrest to fight reconstruction (disbanded after return of “Home Rule”) A. Founded by General Forrest to fight reconstruction (disbanded after return of “Home Rule”) B. Renewed popularity after 1915 film Birth of a Nation B. Renewed popularity after 1915 film Birth of a Nation (show video clip) (show video clip) C. KKK by 1924 boasts 4.5 million members and controls seven states C. KKK by 1924 boasts 4.5 million members and controls seven states

VIII. The Return of the Klan D. New Klan stands for “100% Americanism” and the “protection of womanhood” D. New Klan stands for “100% Americanism” and the “protection of womanhood” E. Anti black, Catholic, Jewish, immigrant, union, communist and liquor E. Anti black, Catholic, Jewish, immigrant, union, communist and liquor F. Serve as vigilante “morality police” F. Serve as vigilante “morality police” G. Use violence and intimidation G. Use violence and intimidation