POLITICS OF THE POLITICS OF THE ROARING TWENTIESROARING TWENTIES

Chapter 12Chapter 12

The popular image of the 1920s, as a decade of The popular image of the 1920s, as a decade of prosperity and riotous living and of bootleggers prosperity and riotous living and of bootleggers and gangsters, flappers and hot jazz, flagpole and gangsters, flappers and hot jazz, flagpole sitters, and marathon dancers, is indelibly etched sitters, and marathon dancers, is indelibly etched in the American psyche. But this image is also in the American psyche. But this image is also profoundly misleading. The 1920s was a decade profoundly misleading. The 1920s was a decade of deep cultural conflict. The pre-Civil War of deep cultural conflict. The pre-Civil War decades had fundamental conflicts in American decades had fundamental conflicts in American society that involved geographic regions. During society that involved geographic regions. During the Gilded Age, conflicts centered on ethnicity the Gilded Age, conflicts centered on ethnicity and social class. Conversely, the conflicts of the and social class. Conversely, the conflicts of the 1920s were primarily cultural, pitting a more 1920s were primarily cultural, pitting a more cosmopolitan, modernist, urban culture against a cosmopolitan, modernist, urban culture against a more provincial, traditionalist, rural culture.more provincial, traditionalist, rural culture.

The decade witnessed a titanic The decade witnessed a titanic struggle between an old and a new struggle between an old and a new America. Immigration, race, alcohol, America. Immigration, race, alcohol, evolution, gender politics, and sexual evolution, gender politics, and sexual morality all became major cultural morality all became major cultural battlefields during the 1920s. Wets battlefields during the 1920s. Wets battled dries, religious modernists battled dries, religious modernists battled religious fundamentalists, and battled religious fundamentalists, and urban ethnics battled the Ku Klux Klan.urban ethnics battled the Ku Klux Klan.

The 1920s was a decade of profound social The 1920s was a decade of profound social changes. The most obvious signs of change changes. The most obvious signs of change were the rise of a consumer-oriented were the rise of a consumer-oriented economy and of mass entertainment, which economy and of mass entertainment, which helped to bring about a ‘revolution in helped to bring about a ‘revolution in morals and manners.’ Sexual mores, gender morals and manners.’ Sexual mores, gender roles, hair styles, and dress all changed roles, hair styles, and dress all changed profoundly during the 1920s. Many profoundly during the 1920s. Many Americans regarded these changes as Americans regarded these changes as liberation from the country's Victorian past. liberation from the country's Victorian past. But for others, morals seemed to be But for others, morals seemed to be decaying, and the United States seemed to decaying, and the United States seemed to be changing in undesirable ways. The result be changing in undesirable ways. The result was a thinly veiled ‘cultural civil war.’was a thinly veiled ‘cultural civil war.’

••What are the defining characteristics of What are the defining characteristics of the years 1917-1918?the years 1917-1918?

••How did the events that led to American How did the events that led to American involvement in World War I impact the role involvement in World War I impact the role of the United States on the world stage? of the United States on the world stage?

••What is the significance of the years What is the significance of the years 1914-1918 in U.S. history?1914-1918 in U.S. history?

••How did industries in the United States How did industries in the United States change to prepare for war?change to prepare for war?

••How did American spending change to How did American spending change to prepare for war?prepare for war?

AMERICANS STRUGGLE AMERICANS STRUGGLE WITH POSTWAR ISSUESWITH POSTWAR ISSUES

Section 1Section 1

How did How did World War IWorld War I affect America?affect America?

The end of WWI hurt the The end of WWI hurt the economyeconomy::

Returning soldiers took jobs away Returning soldiers took jobs away from women & minorities …OR…from women & minorities …OR…

Returning soldiers faced Returning soldiers faced unemployment themselves.unemployment themselves.

NATIVISM & NATIVISM & ISOLATIONISMISOLATIONISM

Swept over America as people Swept over America as people became suspicious of foreigners & became suspicious of foreigners &

wanted to pull away from world wanted to pull away from world affairsaffairs

FEAR OF COMMUNISMFEAR OF COMMUNISM

Americans saw Americans saw Communism Communism as a threat to their way of lifeas a threat to their way of life

CommunistsCommunists came to power came to power in Russia through violent in Russia through violent

revolution:revolution:

Communism is an economic & Communism is an economic & political system that supports political system that supports

government control over property.government control over property.

WWI created economic & WWI created economic & political problems in political problems in

Russia…Russia…

1917, the Russian czar (1917, the Russian czar (NicholasNicholas IIII) stepped down & a group of ) stepped down & a group of

revolutionaries called revolutionaries called Bolsheviks Bolsheviks took power.took power.

Bolshevik Revolution Bolshevik Revolution 19171917

New Leadership in New Leadership in Russia (Soviet Union)…Russia (Soviet Union)…

Vladimir I. LeninVladimir I. Lenin

This new government called This new government called for worldwide revolution..for worldwide revolution..

Communist leaders wanted workers to Communist leaders wanted workers to seize political & economic powerseize political & economic power

They wanted to overthrow They wanted to overthrow capitalismcapitalism..

The “RED SCARE”The “RED SCARE”

In the U.S., about 70,000 people joined In the U.S., about 70,000 people joined the Communist Party.the Communist Party.

Still, the ideas of the communists, or Still, the ideas of the communists, or “Reds”, frightened many people“Reds”, frightened many people

““PALMER RAIDS”…PALMER RAIDS”…

Attorney General A. Mitchell PalmerAttorney General A. Mitchell Palmer set up an agency in the Justice Dept. set up an agency in the Justice Dept. to arrest to arrest communistscommunists, , socialistssocialists, & , & anarchistsanarchists (later became FBI). (later became FBI).

Palmer’s raids trampled on people’s Palmer’s raids trampled on people’s rights…especially radicals.rights…especially radicals.

Many were sent out of the country w/out Many were sent out of the country w/out

trialtrial..

SACCO & VANZETTISACCO & VANZETTI

Two Italian immigrants who Two Italian immigrants who were arrested for robbery & were arrested for robbery & murder in Massachusetts.murder in Massachusetts.

Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola Sacco (Dedham courthouse, 1923)

Sacco & Vanzetti were Sacco & Vanzetti were admitted anarchists but…admitted anarchists but…

Denied committing any crime.Denied committing any crime.

The case against them was weak The case against them was weak & they were convicted anyway& they were convicted anyway

JUDGE WEBSTER THAYER

Many protested the conviction…They believed it Many protested the conviction…They believed it was based on a fear of foreigners.was based on a fear of foreigners.

Sacco & Vanzetti executed in Sacco & Vanzetti executed in 19271927

Death Watch in Union Square, New York

Funeral Procession

Sacco and Vanzetti death masks 

LIMITING LIMITING IMMIGRATION…IMMIGRATION…

How did Americans show their How did Americans show their Nativist feelings?Nativist feelings?

Immigrants at Ellis Island

Some Americans used the Red Scare Some Americans used the Red Scare as an excuse to act against people as an excuse to act against people

who were differentwho were different..

Example was the Ku Klux Example was the Ku Klux Klan.Klan.

QUOTA SYSTEM:QUOTA SYSTEM: Congress passed the Congress passed the EmergencyEmergency

Quota ActQuota Act of 1921. of 1921. Set a limit on how many immigrants Set a limit on how many immigrants

from each country could enter the from each country could enter the U.S. each year.U.S. each year.

In 1924, a new quota limited In 1924, a new quota limited immigration from immigration from Eastern & SouthernEastern & Southern EuropeEurope…mostly Jews & Roman …mostly Jews & Roman Catholics.Catholics.

1924, Immigration from 1924, Immigration from Japan banned.Japan banned.

3 MAJOR STRIKES IN 3 MAJOR STRIKES IN 19191919

(Strikes were not allowed (Strikes were not allowed during World War I)during World War I)

1) 1) Boston police officersBoston police officers strike for a strike for a living wageliving wage..

The cost of living had doubled since their last The cost of living had doubled since their last raise.raise.

Mass. Governor Mass. Governor Calvin CoolidgeCalvin Coolidge used force to used force to put down the strike.put down the strike.

2) Steelworker strike at U.S. 2) Steelworker strike at U.S. Steel CorporationSteel Corporation..

Workers demanded right to join unions.Workers demanded right to join unions.1923, report revealed harsh conditions 1923, report revealed harsh conditions

in steel mills.in steel mills.Public opinion turned against steel Public opinion turned against steel

companies & workers were given an 8 companies & workers were given an 8 hour day….Still had no union.hour day….Still had no union.

3) United Mine Workers Strike3) United Mine Workers Strike Led by Led by John L. LewisJohn L. Lewis, president of the , president of the UnitedUnited

Mine WorkersMine Workers.. President Wilson tried to help settle the dispute President Wilson tried to help settle the dispute

b/w miners & mine owners.b/w miners & mine owners. Miners got higher wages, but didn’t get shorter Miners got higher wages, but didn’t get shorter

hours.hours.

John L. Lewis

Overall, the 1920’s was Overall, the 1920’s was a bad time for unions.a bad time for unions.

Union membership declined Union membership declined from 5 million to 3.5 million.from 5 million to 3.5 million.

WHY?WHY?

1)1) Immigrants were willing to work in Immigrants were willing to work in poor conditionspoor conditions

2)2) Language barriers made organizing Language barriers made organizing people difficultpeople difficult

3)3) Farmers who had migrated to cities Farmers who had migrated to cities were used to relying on themselveswere used to relying on themselves

4)4) Most unions excluded African Most unions excluded African Americans.Americans.

THE HARDING THE HARDING PRESIDENCYPRESIDENCY

Section 2Section 2

Personal:• First Lady: Florence "Flossie" Mabel Kling Harding, Wife• Number of Children: 1• Education Level: College• School Attended: Ohio Central College• Religion: Baptist• Profession: Teacher, Insurance Salesman, Reporter, Publisher

Washington Naval Washington Naval ConferenceConference

19211921

President Warren G. Harding President Warren G. Harding invited several major world invited several major world

powers.powers.

DISARMAMENT:DISARMAMENT:

At the Conference, Secretary of State At the Conference, Secretary of State Charles Evans HughesCharles Evans Hughes urged that no urged that no more warships be built for 10 years.more warships be built for 10 years.

Hughes also urged that the 5 major Hughes also urged that the 5 major naval powers (U.S., Great Britain, naval powers (U.S., Great Britain, Japan, France & Italy) scrap many of Japan, France & Italy) scrap many of their existing warshipstheir existing warships

Kellogg-Briand PactKellogg-Briand Pact19281928

64 nations signed that they 64 nations signed that they giving up war as national giving up war as national

policypolicy

  Frank B. Kellogg, U.S. Secretary of State

U.S. still wanted France & U.S. still wanted France & Britain to repay $ borrowed Britain to repay $ borrowed

during WWIduring WWI

Fordney-McCumber Fordney-McCumber Tariff of 1922Tariff of 1922

Tariff protected American business from Tariff protected American business from foreign competition.foreign competition.

But the tariff made it impossible for But the tariff made it impossible for Britain & France to sell their goods in Britain & France to sell their goods in

the U.S.the U.S.

The DAWES PLANThe DAWES PLAN

Under the Dawes PlanUnder the Dawes Plan….….

U.S. loaned $ to Germany to pay U.S. loaned $ to Germany to pay back Britain & Franceback Britain & France

Then Britain & France repaid U.S.Then Britain & France repaid U.S.

So….the U.S. ended up getting paid So….the U.S. ended up getting paid w/its own $!w/its own $!

ScandalScandal Hits Harding’s Hits Harding’s Administration…Administration…

Some of his cabinet appointments Some of his cabinet appointments caused problems…… They were caused problems…… They were

part of the so-called “part of the so-called “OHIOOHIO GANGGANG””

TEAPOT DOME SCANDALTEAPOT DOME SCANDAL

Involved pieces of land called Teapot Involved pieces of land called Teapot Dome & Elk HillsDome & Elk Hills

Was owned by the government & Was owned by the government & held large reserves of oil.held large reserves of oil.

Harding’s secretary of the interior, Harding’s secretary of the interior, Albert B. FallAlbert B. Fall, secretly leased , secretly leased

the land to 2 oil companiesthe land to 2 oil companies

He received He received $$ & property in & property in return.return.

President Harding wasn’t President Harding wasn’t charged w/corruption charged w/corruption

himself….himself….

He suddenly died in 1923 & He suddenly died in 1923 & Calvin Coolidge became Calvin Coolidge became

president.president.

THE BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS OF AMERICAAMERICA

Section 3Section 3

The new president, The new president, Calvin Coolidge said…Calvin Coolidge said…

““The chief business of the The chief business of the American people is business”American people is business”

The AUTOMOBILE The AUTOMOBILE changed the American changed the American

landscape….landscape….

New roads were built. New New roads were built. New businesses sprang up like gas businesses sprang up like gas stations, repair shops, public stations, repair shops, public

garages, motels, tourist camps & garages, motels, tourist camps & shopping centers.shopping centers.

Cities in Cities in OhioOhio & & MichiganMichigan grew as grew as major centers of automobile major centers of automobile

manufacturingmanufacturing..

States that produced OIL States that produced OIL such as such as CaliforniaCalifornia & & TexasTexas

also prospered.also prospered.

The automobile also became a The automobile also became a status symbolstatus symbol..

Everyone wanted to have one.Everyone wanted to have one.

By the late 1920’s, about 80% of By the late 1920’s, about 80% of all the cars in the world were in all the cars in the world were in

thethe U.S. U.S.

1920 ROLLS-ROYCE

URBAN SPRAWLURBAN SPRAWL(Cities spread out in all directions)(Cities spread out in all directions)

Cars ended isolation of rural families & Cars ended isolation of rural families & gave young people & women more gave young people & women more

independence.independence.Cars also made it possible for people to Cars also made it possible for people to

live farther from their jobs.live farther from their jobs.

The airline industry also The airline industry also grew.grew.

Planes carried the nation’s mail.Planes carried the nation’s mail.

Passenger service beganPassenger service began..

AMERICA’S STANDARD AMERICA’S STANDARD OF LIVING SOARS!!!OF LIVING SOARS!!!

How did the American How did the American household change?household change?

Spread of ELECTRICITY Spread of ELECTRICITY caused a major change.caused a major change.

In the 1920’s, electric power In the 1920’s, electric power stretched beyond big cities to stretched beyond big cities to

the suburbs.the suburbs.

Americans began to use all kinds of Americans began to use all kinds of electrical appliances….electrical appliances….

Radios, washing machines, & Radios, washing machines, & vacuum cleaners became popular.vacuum cleaners became popular.

These appliances made housework These appliances made housework easier.easier.

Resulted in more leisure Resulted in more leisure time for families and….time for families and….

Increase in the number of women Increase in the number of women working outside the home.working outside the home.

Nursing in the 1920’s

More consumer goods appeared on More consumer goods appeared on the marketthe market..

Businesses used advertising to sell Businesses used advertising to sell goods. They used Psychology…tried to goods. They used Psychology…tried to use people’s desire for youth, beauty, & use people’s desire for youth, beauty, &

popularity to sell products.popularity to sell products.

Business people formed Business people formed organizations to do charity organizations to do charity

work.work.

They also formed They also formed organizations to promote organizations to promote

business.business.

The The National incomeNational income rose rose from $64 billion in 1921 to from $64 billion in 1921 to

$87 billion in 1929.$87 billion in 1929.

Most businesses seemed to make Most businesses seemed to make fortunes.fortunes.

The stock market reached new The stock market reached new heights.heights.

THE SUPERFICIAL THE SUPERFICIAL PROSPERITY OF THE PROSPERITY OF THE

1920’s1920’s

What hidden problems did the What hidden problems did the economy have?economy have?

1) Business wasn’t as healthy as 1) Business wasn’t as healthy as it seemedit seemed::

Large businesses bought up or Large businesses bought up or merged w/smaller ones.merged w/smaller ones.

But as businesses grew, business But as businesses grew, business managers made much more $ than managers made much more $ than workers did.workers did.

Also, mining companies, railroads, & Also, mining companies, railroads, & farms weren’t doing well.farms weren’t doing well.

2) 2) Consumer Consumer debt debt rose to high rose to high levelslevels::

Businesses encouraged customers to Businesses encouraged customers to buy on the buy on the INSTALLMENT PLANINSTALLMENT PLAN..

Banks provided $ at low interest Banks provided $ at low interest rates.rates.

Average Americans were Average Americans were spending more $ than they spending more $ than they actually had.actually had.

COMING UP NEXT!!!!COMING UP NEXT!!!!

THE ROARING THE ROARING LIFELIFE OF OF THE 1920’sTHE 1920’s