1. 16-4

2. The War’s Impact  Turmoil at home  Depression  Fear of communism  Strikes  Riots  Bombings

3. Economy in Turmoil  2 million returning soldiers  jobs  Gov’t relinquished control of economy  No more war materials Laid off workers  Race to buy rationed goods Raise in prices Rapid inflation (15% increase in prices in 1919)  Cost of living increase

4. Inflation Leads to Strikes  Wages forced to be raised during war  Inflation = higher operating costs  Union membership up during war After war, unions better organized Business leaders want to break up unions  Wave of strikes in 1919 3,600 strikes (involving 4 million workers)

5. The Seattle General Strike  1 st major strike  35,000 shipyard workers Higher wages and shorter hours  Became a general strike (all workers in community)  60,000 people on strike for five days  No union gains, but scared Am people

6. Boston Police Strike  Most famous strike of 1919  75% of police walked off job  Riots and looting  Gov Calvin Coolidge called in Nat Guard  Police commissioner fired police  Coolidge supported this, and gained widespread pub support Pres candidate in 1920

7. The Steel Strike  One of the largest strikes ever  350,000 steelworkers Higher pay, fewer hours, union recognition)  Head of U.S. steel refused to talk to union leaders Used anti-immigrant feelings to divide workers Hired African American and Mexican workers as replacements

8. Steel Strike (con’t)  Clashes between strikers and company guards common Gary, Indiana = 18 dead  Strike ended in early 1920s  Steelworkers remained unorganized until 1941