1. Fear in the 1920s
This portion of the unit focuses on how fear manifested in the U.S. after WWI in ways other than the “Red Scare”.

2. Instructions
Use the slides to complete your guided notes up to, but not including, “Objective 2: Restoring Peace and Normalcy”.
When you come to the links, watch each video with headphones (if possible).
When you are finished with this portion of the activity, read “Unearthing a Riot” and answer the corresponding questions. You were given these readings during a prior class.
Submit the questions from the reading once you’ve completed them.

3. Rise of the KKK 100% Americanism
White male native born gentile citizens
4.5. million members by 1924
Destroyed saloons, attacked immigrants, Jews, Catholics, blacks
Dominated state politics

4. Tulsa Race Riot (1921)
Rowland (black man) entered elevator with Sarah Page (white woman)
Scream was heard in elevator- Rowland runs
What actually happened is unclear- Regardless, what was Rowland accused of?
“Lynch justice” vs. blacks fighting to protect Rowland
Massive riot ensued- National Guard puts down

5. Rosewood Massacre (1923)
Rumor that a black man had assaulted a white woman in nearby town
A group of white men went to Rosewood and burned down the house where they believed the suspects were hiding
White mob in Rosewood went on a hunt for blacks
Rosewood was a town primarily inhabited by black residents
Citizens hid in nearby swamps and forests while whites burned houses, etc.
Survivors fled the town and never returned- only two buildings were left standing
Local police made no arrests

6. Unions and Strikes
What would happen to laborers if they went on strike during WWI?
After war, 4 million workers participated in 3000 strikes
Framed as “commies”
Boston Police Strike- 1919
No raise since before war- no unionization
Coolidge (MA governor) hired National Guard
Force “threatened public safety”- could not return to work
“Saved Boston” from communism and anarchy
Future VP of Harding in 1920; Future president

7. Unions and Strikes Steel Mill Strike- 1919
Wanted shorter hours, living wage, recognition of union and collective bargaining
U.S. Steel Corp. refused to meet w/ union reps- 300,000 strikers
Strike breakers hired; Force used; Linked to “communism”
**Report came out in 1923 about harsh conditions- public appalled and steel workers received improvements
Still, immediate reaction = FEAR

8. Unions and Strikes Labor movement loses appeal
Increased tension and link to communism
Union membership declines 5 mill to 3.5 mill
Immigrants willing to work in conditions
Unions had difficulty organizing (i.e. diff’t languages)
Excluded blacks
Ex-farmers did not rely on unions

9. Conclusion Fear after war = ?
Nativism
Fear of communism
Rise of terror groups
Decline of labor strikes
Country wants calm and peace- anything else is a threat

10. Postwar America What did Americans fear during and after WWI?
This leads to desire for conformity and stabilization
Lack of support for unionization
Threatened “normalcy” – too much tension
Nativism
Feared the “outsider”- prejudice against foreigners swept nation
Isolationism
Pull away from involvement in foreign affairs
At a department store, union members were not allowed to recruit other employees with pamphlets. Would be fired. Instead, they would do so using toilet paper (private communication)