Turbulent Turbulent DecadeDecade

1919-19291919-1929Section 1: Postwar TroublesSection 1: Postwar Troubles

Section 2: Republicans in PowerSection 2: Republicans in Power

Section 3: A Nation DividedSection 3: A Nation Divided

Section 1: Postwar Section 1: Postwar TroublesTroublesDemobilizationDemobilization

Transition from wartime to peacetime production levelsTransition from wartime to peacetime production levelsCaused social and economic strainCaused social and economic strain

Rise in unemploymentRise in unemploymentShortages made prices highShortages made prices highRecessionRecession

Effected many not just factory workersEffected many not just factory workersFarmsFarmsWomen lost jobs they’d held in war, men came home from warWomen lost jobs they’d held in war, men came home from war

Labor StrifeLabor Strife The Seattle general strikeThe Seattle general strike

February 6, 1919February 6, 1919 60,000 workers60,000 workers Immigrants labeled as “muddle-headed foreigners” in Immigrants labeled as “muddle-headed foreigners” in

newspapersnewspapers Non-violent strikeNon-violent strike Ended after 5 days with no reliefEnded after 5 days with no relief

The Boston Police StrikeThe Boston Police Strike September 1919September 1919

75% walked out75% walked out 2 nights of violence2 nights of violence Strikers denounced as “agents of Lenin”Strikers denounced as “agents of Lenin” Who is this in reference to? Who is this in reference to?

The steel strikeThe steel strike

Two weeks after Boston strike 365,000 workers Two weeks after Boston strike 365,000 workers walked out of Pennsylvania steel millswalked out of Pennsylvania steel mills

Protested low wagesProtested low wages

Steel companies brought in new workersSteel companies brought in new workers

African AmericansAfrican Americans

MexicansMexicans

Police officers aided companiesPolice officers aided companies

Companies hired thugs to intimidate strikersCompanies hired thugs to intimidate strikers

Strike ended January 9, 1919Strike ended January 9, 1919

The United Mine Workers strikeThe United Mine Workers strike

November 1, 1919November 1, 1919400,000 coal miners walked out

wanted: 5 day work week, 50% pay increase, six hour workday

John L. Lewis – organizer of strike and president of United Mine Workers

The Red Scare -period of anti-communist hysteria 1919-1920

Revolution in Russia led by Vladimir Lenin

Marxism

Marxists in America

Eugene V. Debs – labor leader, Socialist Party member, ran for president 5 times between 1900 and 1920

American Marxists didn’t promote the violent takeover of government, some radicals did, but majority did not

The Palmer Raids

A. Mitchell Palmer (attorney general) home bombed by an Italian anarchist (died in blast)

Raids were to capture alleged “radicals”

“Witch hunt”

Deportation

Sacco and VanzettiSacco and VanzettiNicola Sacco- shoemakerNicola Sacco- shoemakerBartolommeo Vanzetti – fish peddlerBartolommeo Vanzetti – fish peddler

charged with murder of a paymaster and a charged with murder of a paymaster and a guard in a 1920 robbery outside a shoe factory near guard in a 1920 robbery outside a shoe factory near Boston. Tried before Judge Thayer (hated radicals)Boston. Tried before Judge Thayer (hated radicals)

Since both men held radical political views, were Since both men held radical political views, were immigrants, and had avoided military service it immigrants, and had avoided military service it looked bad. Their witnesses provided alibis, the jury looked bad. Their witnesses provided alibis, the jury found them guilty. Both were sentenced to death.found them guilty. Both were sentenced to death.

Why do you think this happened? Why do you think this happened?

The verdict led to civil liberties defenders to protest, The verdict led to civil liberties defenders to protest, led to world wide protest and attention. August 23, led to world wide protest and attention. August 23, 1927 they were executed. Recent historical 1927 they were executed. Recent historical information shows that one may have been involved information shows that one may have been involved but the question remains… was their political views but the question remains… was their political views damaging to them more than evidence?damaging to them more than evidence?

Section 2: Republicans in PowerSection 2: Republicans in PowerElection 1920Election 1920

Warren G. Harding (Republican)Warren G. Harding (Republican)pro-business platformpro-business platform

tax revision, higher tariffs, limits on immigration, tax revision, higher tariffs, limits on immigration, some aid to farmerssome aid to farmers

return to “normalcy”return to “normalcy”received 16 million votes, 60% popular votereceived 16 million votes, 60% popular vote404 electoral votes 404 electoral votes

Opponent James Cox 127 electoral votesOpponent James Cox 127 electoral votesHarding’s Pro-Business AdministrationHarding’s Pro-Business Administration

““less government in business and more business in government”less government in business and more business in government”Secretary of Treasury – Andrew MellonSecretary of Treasury – Andrew MellonSecretary of Commerce – Herbert HooverSecretary of Commerce – Herbert Hooverboth believed gov’t should not interfere with the economy both believed gov’t should not interfere with the economy

except to aid business except to aid business Bureau of the Budget – Charles Dawes – set out to eliminate debt by Bureau of the Budget – Charles Dawes – set out to eliminate debt by slashing spendingslashing spendingFordney-McCumber Tarrif Act 1922 Fordney-McCumber Tarrif Act 1922

tariff rates on manufactured goods at an all time hightariff rates on manufactured goods at an all time highMellon proposed to eliminate war taxes on wealthyMellon proposed to eliminate war taxes on wealthy

Seemed to work… unemployment was downSeemed to work… unemployment was down

The Effects of Republican PoliciesThe Effects of Republican Policies

merger – the combining of two or more companies – more than 1000 merger – the combining of two or more companies – more than 1000 took place during this time = greater efficiency, higher profitstook place during this time = greater efficiency, higher profits

By 1930, about 200 corporations owned about ½ the corporate wealth in By 1930, about 200 corporations owned about ½ the corporate wealth in the US.the US.

1923-1929 – businesses’ profits increased 60% - workers’ incomes 1923-1929 – businesses’ profits increased 60% - workers’ incomes increased only 10%increased only 10%

What effects would this have on the nation? What effects would this have on the nation? Organized labor suffersOrganized labor suffers

““yellow-dog contracts” prevented workers from joining unionsyellow-dog contracts” prevented workers from joining unions

American Plan – union free open shopsAmerican Plan – union free open shops

New Directions for WomenNew Directions for Women

Jane Addams – Hull House… what is the urban legend about Jane Addams – Hull House… what is the urban legend about Hull House? What is the moral?Hull House? What is the moral?

feminists – women’s rights activists and suffrage campaignfeminists – women’s rights activists and suffrage campaign

Alice Paul and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) “Men and Alice Paul and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the US and every women shall have equal rights throughout the US and every place subject to its jurisdiction”place subject to its jurisdiction”

Many women opposed the ERAMany women opposed the ERA

Mary Anderson –director of US Women’s Bureau, Mary Anderson –director of US Women’s Bureau, feared the amendment would make legislation for feared the amendment would make legislation for regulating hours and working conditions for women regulating hours and working conditions for women unconstitutionalunconstitutional

ERA failedERA failed

The Enduring Republican PresidencyThe Enduring Republican Presidency

The Harding ScandalsThe Harding Scandals

““Ohio Gang” –group of his friends, used their Ohio Gang” –group of his friends, used their connection to Harding to enrich themselves at public connection to Harding to enrich themselves at public expenseexpense

Teapot Dome Scandal – Secretary of Interior Albert Fall Teapot Dome Scandal – Secretary of Interior Albert Fall got Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby to give up control got Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby to give up control of naval oil reserves to his department. Fall then granted of naval oil reserves to his department. Fall then granted private leases to the reserves in Elk Hills, CA and Teapot private leases to the reserves in Elk Hills, CA and Teapot Dome reserves in WY. He received personal loans, cash, Dome reserves in WY. He received personal loans, cash, and cattle. He was convicted of taking bribes and jailed. and cattle. He was convicted of taking bribes and jailed.

Coolidge takes chargeCoolidge takes chargeHarding dies in office, Coolidge (VP)Harding dies in office, Coolidge (VP)fired all involved in scandals – tried to restore reputation of fired all involved in scandals – tried to restore reputation of presidencypresidency

““Silent Cal” won nomination in 1924Silent Cal” won nomination in 1924Democrats split on prohibitionDemocrats split on prohibitionProgressives: Robert La Follette Progressives: Robert La Follette Coolidge won by a landslide 15.7 million Coolidge won by a landslide 15.7 million votesvotes Dems: 8.4 million Dems: 8.4 million Progressive: 4.8 Progressive: 4.8 millionmillion

Coolidge’s pro-business positionCoolidge’s pro-business position““the business of America is business”the business of America is business”favored legislation that aided businessesfavored legislation that aided businesses

Helped pass the Revenue Act of 1926 – repealed the Helped pass the Revenue Act of 1926 – repealed the gift tax, cut estate taxes in half, reduced taxes on the gift tax, cut estate taxes in half, reduced taxes on the wealthy. wealthy. Vetoed spending bills, such as those to provide aid to Vetoed spending bills, such as those to provide aid to WWI vets, the McNary-Haugen Bill (sell surplus crops WWI vets, the McNary-Haugen Bill (sell surplus crops abroad by aiding farmers)abroad by aiding farmers)

Didn’t run for reelection even though very popular… said Didn’t run for reelection even though very popular… said found the job burdensome. found the job burdensome.

Election of 1928Election of 1928Herbert Hoover (Republican) and Alfred E. Smith (Democrat)Herbert Hoover (Republican) and Alfred E. Smith (Democrat)Smith opposed because he was CatholicSmith opposed because he was Catholic

Hoover got 58% of popular voteHoover got 58% of popular voteeven won for the first time since Reconstruction several even won for the first time since Reconstruction several southern statessouthern states

Section 3: A Nation DividedSection 3: A Nation DividedAfrican Americans Move Northward – Chicago, Detroit, NYC, African Americans Move Northward – Chicago, Detroit, NYC, Midwest … why?Midwest … why?

Reasons to move:Reasons to move:economic opportunities (but first to lose jobs), economic opportunities (but first to lose jobs),

hopes of less hopes of less discriminationdiscriminationViolence erupts:Violence erupts:

Chicago – July 1919- boy drowns in Lake Chicago – July 1919- boy drowns in Lake Michigan when a white man throws rocks at him stopping him Michigan when a white man throws rocks at him stopping him from coming onto beach, police do not arrest anyone, fights from coming onto beach, police do not arrest anyone, fights break out, riots for over a week. White gangs attacking blacks break out, riots for over a week. White gangs attacking blacks and property. By end, 38 killed, 537 injuredand property. By end, 38 killed, 537 injured

Race RiotsRace Riotsby 1919 – 25 race riotsby 1919 – 25 race riotsJune 1921- 30 died in Tulsa, OK race riotJune 1921- 30 died in Tulsa, OK race riot

The Return of the Ku Klux KlanThe Return of the Ku Klux Klan1915- Stone Mountain, GA by William Joseph Simmons 1915- Stone Mountain, GA by William Joseph Simmons

kidnappings, beatings, lynchings – terrorismkidnappings, beatings, lynchings – terrorismanti: African Americans, Catholics, immigrants, Jews, anti: African Americans, Catholics, immigrants, Jews,

“suspected” “suspected” radicalsradicalsmembership soared during Red Scare- LA, OH, OK, OR and TXmembership soared during Red Scare- LA, OH, OK, OR and TXbecame very powerful in Indiana; Top membership mid-1920s became very powerful in Indiana; Top membership mid-1920s some 5 million; later membership dropped because of some 5 million; later membership dropped because of decrease in hysteria over “Reds”, economic stability and boom, decrease in hysteria over “Reds”, economic stability and boom, publicity of terrorism by newspapers, corruption (promoters publicity of terrorism by newspapers, corruption (promoters were getting rich from membership fees and sales of Klan were getting rich from membership fees and sales of Klan products). products).

Indiana Grand Dragon – David Stephenson convicted of second-Indiana Grand Dragon – David Stephenson convicted of second-degree murder didn’t do much for membershipdegree murder didn’t do much for membership

African Americans Defend Their RightsAfrican Americans Defend Their RightsAntilynching campaign led by Antilynching campaign led by NAACP- generated public NAACP- generated public support with little success. support with little success. African American unionization - not allowed to rise above African American unionization - not allowed to rise above unskilled labor; couldn’t join local labor unions or the AFLunskilled labor; couldn’t join local labor unions or the AFL

A. Philip Randolph founder of the Brotherhood of A. Philip Randolph founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (1925) wanted to improve conditions for Sleeping Car Porters (1925) wanted to improve conditions for African Americans working for Pullman Company – Pullman African Americans working for Pullman Company – Pullman refused to recognize the union, through support from the refused to recognize the union, through support from the NAACP finally got recognition from Pullman in late 1930sNAACP finally got recognition from Pullman in late 1930s

Black nationalism:Black nationalism:Pan-Africanism- aided to unite African descendents Pan-Africanism- aided to unite African descendents throughout the worldthroughout the world

leader: Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro leader: Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association in 1914Improvement Association in 1914

goals: build black-owned businesses to eliminate goals: build black-owned businesses to eliminate dependence on government & set up an independent dependence on government & set up an independent black homeland in Africablack homeland in Africa

Spoke to the masses unlike De Bois who spoke to Spoke to the masses unlike De Bois who spoke to the educated founded the Black Star Steamship Co. the educated founded the Black Star Steamship Co.

jailed for mail fraud, pardoned in 1927 and ordered jailed for mail fraud, pardoned in 1927 and ordered to be deported. Movement lost momentum after he was to be deported. Movement lost momentum after he was jailedjailed

Immigration RestrictionsImmigration RestrictionsNativismNativismLaw passed by Congress set quota from each nationality Law passed by Congress set quota from each nationality already in the country to 3% except Asians who were already in the country to 3% except Asians who were barredbarredImmigration Act of 1924 – reduced the quota to 2% of the Immigration Act of 1924 – reduced the quota to 2% of the 1890 populations – what implication does this have? Who 1890 populations – what implication does this have? Who were immigrants in the 1800s?were immigrants in the 1800s?

limited immigrants from Africa, Asia, Australia, and limited immigrants from Africa, Asia, Australia, and EuropeEurope

Mexican American MigrationMexican American MigrationThe law didn’t effect Mexicans as employers in the SW The law didn’t effect Mexicans as employers in the SW were eager to have them, agricultural workerswere eager to have them, agricultural workersMigrated to Chicago, Detroit, LA, San Antonio, El PasoMigrated to Chicago, Detroit, LA, San Antonio, El PasoYoung women worked at bakeries, hotels, laundriesYoung women worked at bakeries, hotels, laundries

American Indian LifeAmerican Indian LifeDawes Act – attempted to “Americanize” Indians by Dawes Act – attempted to “Americanize” Indians by dividing tribal landsdividing tribal landsBursum Bill – designed to legalize non-Indian claim to Bursum Bill – designed to legalize non-Indian claim to Pueblo land. Pueblos appealed to Americans, as a result Pueblo land. Pueblos appealed to Americans, as a result the bill failed to pass.the bill failed to pass.

1924 Congress granted citizenship to all American Indians, 1924 Congress granted citizenship to all American Indians, didn’t eliminate poverty or hardships. Was done as didn’t eliminate poverty or hardships. Was done as recognition for those who fought in WWIrecognition for those who fought in WWI

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