1. Post War America The Good Times and the Bad Times

2. Communism and America First Red Scare – fear sweeps America as they see rise of Bolsheviks in Russia Communist Party established in United States – 1918/1919 Mailed bombs to government officials – 1919 Started Red Scare – widespread fear of Communism American Reaction New York legislators barred Socialists from holding political office – laws was made unconstitutional by case of Gitlow v. New York (1925) Palmer Raids – started by Mitchell Palmer (targeted by bombings of 1919) Anti-Communist campaign which attacked radical groups These led to arrest and deportation of many radicals

3. Labor in America Characterized by thousands of strikes by millions of workers Problems for labor in America: High expectations for labor during war were being pushed higher after war Expected Wilson to take care of them after war President Wilson focused on peace plan – not workers’ causes or issues Decreased demand for goods from U.S. factories – decrease in jobs Workers groups would get fired if organized – no organization now Red Scare – Communists called on workers to overthrow leaders Linked labor with communist movement Results: Union suffered major losses – reputation destroyed until depression Major Strikes occurred in Seattle and Boston – labor beaten badly Calvin Coolidge makes name for himself in shutting down Boston strike John L. Lewis – becomes head of United Mine Workers – shuts down strikes, changes image of unions

4. Immigration Reasons for push to limiting immigration: Declining number of jobs – save jobs for those who are here Red Scare – fear of letting Communists in Nativism – distrust of foreigners – on the rise This group thrived in Protestant Christians Targeted those from Southern and Eastern Europe – would not Americanize New immigrants were poor and alone – would work for anything Threat to labor movements and unions Results of this desire to limit Immigration 1921 – Law designed to set quota of number to be let in 1924 – National Origins Act passed – quota set for each country Led to a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan Moved to the North – Indiana became a power center of Klan Mission moved from just African Americans to also include Jews, Catholics and radicals

5. Sacco and Vanzetti Issue Two men were on trial in Massachusetts Example of America’s struggle with nativism and anti-radicals They were on trial for murder and armed robbery They were proclaimed anarchists – radicals who sought to destroy government They were from Italy (Southern Europeans) Outcome: Evidence was weak against both men – Both were still found guilty Both were executed in 1927 Led to strained U.S. relations with those in Europe and South America

6. Changing Industry Henry Ford – Revolutionized American Industry Brought the mass produced automobile to American public Model T – the mass produced car – started in 1908 Revolutionized Industry with Assembly Line – item moves along conveyor belt to various work stations to be built Effects: Forced automobile industry to come up with new ideas to knock off Ford Motor Company (other major companies were General Motors and Chrysler) Caused growth of auto industry Assembly Line idea spread to other industries – increased productivity Led to welfare capitalism – system in which companies provide benefits to employees in an effort to promote worker satisfaction and loyalty Pension plans, recreation programs – led to worker loyalty, less unions, lower pay and workers did not complain

7. Industry Effects on Society New businesses arose or grew: Steel, glass, rubber, and other automobile material industries boomed Auto repair shops grow Gas stations and hotels now appear Restaurants emerge Gasoline refining takes off – new oil boom Midwest cities grow (Detroit and Akron, OH) Saw rise of suburbs – small town located just outside major cities New tourist industry emerges – Florida becomes popular destination

8. American Consumer Era following World War I was met with an explosion of consumer products – there was so much more to buy New Products: Electrical appliances (vacuum and refrigerators) Home radio Airplane aviation – first passenger airliners Still not as comfortable as trains, but the thrill brought business Creating Demand – companies advertised in magazines and on the radio – message was buy now – companies sponsored new radio shows Consumers had new ways to buy – did not need cash on hand Installment buying – paying for product over time with payments (lay away plans) Credit – Borrowing money

9. Economic Weakness Farming industry was weak – saw much lower prices following war when European farmers got back to field Caused decline in value of farmland No defense against natural disaster for farmers: Boll Weevil infestation – destroyed cotton crops Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927 The Great Blow occurred – hurricane struck Florida Florida went into economic depression Economy of the time was fragile at best – any crisis could cause problems

10. Harding Presidency Policies: Economic Idea – Less Government in business, more business in government Goal – cut federal budget and decrease taxes on wealthiest Americans This would lead to business growth and pull nation out of tough times Farming Crisis – little was done Fordney-McCumber Tariff – raise tax on imported farm products Helped American farmers short term by raising prices Hurt European recovery efforts – war debts could not be paid Teapot Dome Scandal – involved Albert Fall (Secretary of the Interior) He accepted bribes from oil companies to allow them to drill federal oil reserves on the Teapot Dome in Wyoming Scandal rocked Harding – took trip to Alaska – while giving a speech in Seattle he collapsed and died of a heart attack

11. Coolidge Presidency Known as an honest man of integrity – helped to deal with scandals of Harding administration. Also got nickname “Silent Cal” His view on presidency: Got rid of cabinet members suspected of scandal involvement Supported business – successful business would lead to success elsewhere Government role should be limited – government produces nothing only takes resources: Lowered taxes Reduced federal budget Stopped aid farmers Vetoed bill to give bonuses to World War I veterans

12. World War I Lasting Effects Reparations issues: Germany had nothing to pay back debt to European nations European nations then could not pay back debt to U.S. Made harder by passage of Fordney-McCumber Tariff Led to U.S. becoming a lender to Germany and it becoming banker to Europe Arms Races coming between Japan and Great Britain Washington Naval Conference (1921) – nations agreed to cut back on the size of navies, scrapping many ships. Also led to competition for China Billy Mitchell – General who said the U.S. should invest in air power, but people would not listen and he left military service Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) – document that made war illegal and had 60 nations sign it, but there was no way to enforce it – only had the word of others

13. Questions What was the American reaction to the following issues: Red Scare? Labor Movement? Immigration? Why did America react the way it did? Explain in detail American Industry: What man changed industry the most? How did he change industry? How did industry effect American society? What new items were available to consumers? How did industry convince consumers to buy?

14. Questions What new ways were made available to buy products for Americans? What weaknesses were present in American economy? Summarize the Harding and Coolidge presidencies? What policies were pushed? What role did scandal play? What impact did each have on society? What did the lasting effects of World War I bring about?