1. The 1920’s & The “Return to Normalcy”
“Old Guard” Republicans return to power- end of Progressivism- disillusionment with Wilson.
US does not join the League of Nations- disillusionment with World War I.
The Rise of Xenophobia- disillusionment with the “New America.”

2. Xenophobia
The Red Scare ( ) – fear of the Communist Revolution in Russia spreading leads to the jailing and deportation of Anarchist, Communists and Socialists- “Soviet Ark”
Labor Movement suffers.
Communism considered a foreign conspiracy- Ideas were Un-American.
KKK – 1 million

3. Immigrants No Longer Welcome
Immigrations Act of established a quota; 10% of the number of immigrants in 1910.
Immigrations Act of further restricted immigration; 2% of the number of immigrants in 1890.
Groups Most Affected:

4. The Return of the “Old Guard” Republicans – The Politics of the 1920’s - Reactionary
Warren G. Harding brings his “Ohio
Gang” to the White House.
Albert Fall- Secretary of the Interior
Responsible for the Teapot Dome
Scandal- Government Oil Reserves
Charles Forbes- steals $2 Million from the Veteran’s Bureau- money that was to go to disabled World War I veterans.

5. “Silent Cal” Restores Credibility to the Presidency
Calvin Coolidge- very honest; believer
in laissez-faire economics.
Andrew Mellon- Secretary of the
Treasury; introduces trickle-down
economics- tax cuts for the rich.

6. 1920’s Economic Boom – Roaring 20’s
Stock Market Booms – Bull Market (Bear)
Buying Goods on Credit
Installment plan: pay for goods over extended period with interest
Some economists, business owners think installment buying excessive – Why?
Future? – Who cares live for today!

7. Revolution in Automobile Production – Assembly Line
Henry Ford
Model T – Assembly Line and installment plan make the car available to most.
“When you build a factory, you build a temple.”
Materialism is the new God.
YouTube - Charlie Chaplin: Modern Times Part 1/9
Industrial Middle Class - $5 Day (Nativism)
Huge Gap Between Rich and Poor - ?

8. The Lost Generation (US) - The Da Da Movement (Europe)
Main Theme: Disillusionment
F. Scott Fitzgerald: called the era the “Jazz Age”
Great Gatsby: Showed the negative side of 1920s wealth
Sinclair Lewis: Babbit; Against materialism
Ernest Hemingway: A Farewell to Arms – questions glorification of war

9. The Roaring 20’s The New Urban Scene
1922–1929, nearly 2 million people leave farms, towns each year
Urban v. Rural - Clash of VALUES!

10. The Noble Experiment
18th Amendment (1919): supported by religious groups, Rural South, West
Prohibition: production, sale, transportation of alcohol is illegal!
Volstead Act (1919)
Problem: Government does not budget enough money to enforce the law.

12. YouTube - Boardwalk Empire: Speakeasy Tour (HBO)
Prohibition Ignored
Speakeasies: hidden saloons, nightclubs – The “corner cop”
People distill liquor, buy prescription alcohol, “sacramental” wine
Bootlegging: illegal sale, manufacturing
YouTube - Boardwalk Empire: Speakeasy Tour (HBO)

13. Rise of Organized Crime
“Nucky” Johnson – Atlantic City Boss
Al Capone: controls Chicago liquor business by killing competitors – St Valentines Day Massacre
Corruption at EVERY level!
Mid-1920s: only 19% support Prohibition
YouTube - Boardwalk Empire: Atlantic City: The Original Sin City (HBO)

15. The Election of 1928 Al Smith (D) Herbert Hoover (R) Urban- from NYC
Irish-Catholic
Wet
Progressive- Gov’t Regulation
Herbert Hoover (R)
Rural- from Iowa
W.A.S.P.
Dry
Pro Big Business – Laissez Faire