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Society and Society and Economy in Post-Economy in Post-

WWI AmericaWWI America

Spanish Flu EpidemicSpanish Flu Epidemic

The deadly Spanish Flu outbreak occurred just as The Great War The deadly Spanish Flu outbreak occurred just as The Great War began to wind down. began to wind down.

It infected one fifth of the world population (40 million) and killed It infected one fifth of the world population (40 million) and killed more people than WWI.more people than WWI.

The port areas, major cities, and transportation centers saw the The port areas, major cities, and transportation centers saw the earliest cases of influenza. earliest cases of influenza.

From a Letter from a From a Letter from a Physician to a Colleague Physician to a Colleague During the Flu Epidemic During the Flu Epidemic

““These men start with what appears to be an These men start with what appears to be an ordinary attack of LaGrippe or Influenza, and …ordinary attack of LaGrippe or Influenza, and …rapidly develop the most viscous type of rapidly develop the most viscous type of Pneumonia that has ever been seen. Two hours Pneumonia that has ever been seen. Two hours after… they have the Mahogany spots over the after… they have the Mahogany spots over the cheek bones, and a few hours later you can begin cheek bones, and a few hours later you can begin to see the Cyanosis extending from their ears and to see the Cyanosis extending from their ears and spreading all over the face, until it is hard to spreading all over the face, until it is hard to distinguish the coloured men from the white. It is distinguish the coloured men from the white. It is only a matter of a few hours then until death only a matter of a few hours then until death comes, and it is simply a struggle for air until they comes, and it is simply a struggle for air until they suffocate. It is horrible. One can stand it to see one, suffocate. It is horrible. One can stand it to see one, two or twenty men die, but to see these poor devils two or twenty men die, but to see these poor devils dropping like flies sort of gets on your nerves.” dropping like flies sort of gets on your nerves.”

Rejection of VersaillesRejection of Versailles President Wilson and Senator President Wilson and Senator

Henry Cabot Lodge remained Henry Cabot Lodge remained bitter enemies throughout bitter enemies throughout their careers. their careers.

Wilson was a Democrat and Wilson was a Democrat and an idealist, Lodge was a an idealist, Lodge was a Republican and a realist.Republican and a realist.

The President's party lost The President's party lost Congress in the 1918 Congress in the 1918 elections. elections.

Lodge became both Senate Lodge became both Senate Majority Leader and chairman Majority Leader and chairman of the Senate Foreign of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Relations Committee.

Lodge’s support for the Treaty Lodge’s support for the Treaty and its provision for a League and its provision for a League of Nations was crucial for it to of Nations was crucial for it to pass.pass.

Rejection of VersaillesRejection of Versailles Wilson bypassed the Senate Wilson bypassed the Senate

during Treaty negotiations during Treaty negotiations and sometimes publicly and sometimes publicly insulted them. insulted them.

Lodge advocated a more Lodge advocated a more punitive settlement against punitive settlement against Germany, rather than Germany, rather than Wilson's conception of a Wilson's conception of a "peace without victory." "peace without victory."

The Senate added a number The Senate added a number of amendments and of amendments and "reservations" to the treaty. "reservations" to the treaty.

Rejection of VersaillesRejection of Versailles Wilson was unwilling to Wilson was unwilling to

compromise and began compromise and began touring the country to touring the country to promote the Treaty to the promote the Treaty to the American people. American people.

In October 1919, the In October 1919, the President suffered a stroke President suffered a stroke while on the road. while on the road.

On November 19, 1919, the On November 19, 1919, the Senate rejected a peace Senate rejected a peace treaty for the first time.treaty for the first time.

Congress later passed a joint Congress later passed a joint resolution ending the war resolution ending the war with Germany. with Germany.

Cartoon entitled, “Touch Not a Single Bough.”

The Volstead Act Passes The Volstead Act Passes Over Wilson's VetoOver Wilson's Veto

WWI bolstered the WWI bolstered the Temperance Movement Temperance Movement because many associated because many associated sobriety with patriotism due sobriety with patriotism due to:to: the German ownership of the German ownership of

breweries breweries the necessity to conserve the necessity to conserve

grain during wartime. grain during wartime. The 18th Amendment was The 18th Amendment was

ratified in 1919 and took ratified in 1919 and took effect in 1920. effect in 1920.

The Volstead Act clarified the The Volstead Act clarified the new rules. new rules.

Though Wilson advocated Though Wilson advocated temperance, he vetoed the temperance, he vetoed the Volstead Act on constitutional Volstead Act on constitutional and ethical grounds. His veto and ethical grounds. His veto was overridden by Congress.was overridden by Congress.

The 19th AmendmentThe 19th Amendment Although briefly postponed Although briefly postponed

due to the outbreak of WWI, due to the outbreak of WWI, the ratification of the 19th the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1919 finally Amendment in 1919 finally allowed women to represent allowed women to represent themselves at the polls. themselves at the polls.

The culmination of The culmination of Progressivism's agenda came Progressivism's agenda came with success of the with success of the temperance and women's temperance and women's suffrage movements; thus, suffrage movements; thus, the years immediately after the years immediately after WWI were a prelude to the WWI were a prelude to the conservatism of the 1920's. conservatism of the 1920's.

The 1919 Black Sox The 1919 Black Sox Scandal Scandal

In the 1919 World Series, the In the 1919 World Series, the Chicago White Sox lost to the Chicago White Sox lost to the vastly inferior Cincinnati vastly inferior Cincinnati Reds.Reds.

In 1921, eight players were In 1921, eight players were indicted for throwing the indicted for throwing the World Series, but they were World Series, but they were acquitted in a corrupt trial. acquitted in a corrupt trial.

White Sox owner Charles White Sox owner Charles Comiskey paid his players Comiskey paid his players very little compared to other very little compared to other teams. teams.

A New York gambler took A New York gambler took advantage of this discontent, advantage of this discontent, offering players thousands of offering players thousands of dollars to throw the Series. dollars to throw the Series.

The tragedy of the Series was The tragedy of the Series was illiterate superstar outfielder illiterate superstar outfielder “Shoeless” Joe Jackson who “Shoeless” Joe Jackson who did not understand the did not understand the arrangement and was banned arrangement and was banned for life. for life.

“Shoeless” Joe Jackson

A Difficult Economic A Difficult Economic Transition Transition

The American economy had a The American economy had a few very difficult years few very difficult years between 1918 and 1921 between 1918 and 1921 during transition back to a during transition back to a peacetime economy. peacetime economy.

Wartime production ceased, Wartime production ceased, inflation rose, and inflation rose, and unemployment spiked as the unemployment spiked as the troops returned home to find troops returned home to find jobs.jobs.

Nativist sentiments were Nativist sentiments were inflamed because some inflamed because some Americans viewed immigrants Americans viewed immigrants as economic competitors. as economic competitors.

The recession was short-lived, The recession was short-lived, since WWI stimulated since WWI stimulated development and investment development and investment in new technology that in new technology that contributed to the business contributed to the business boom of the 1920's.boom of the 1920's.

Percent Increase in Cost of Living, 1914-1919

The Great MigrationThe Great Migration

African-Americans left the South for the industrial cities of the North African-Americans left the South for the industrial cities of the North in large numbers in the century following the Civil War. in large numbers in the century following the Civil War.

The Great Migration drew roughly a million African-Americans from The Great Migration drew roughly a million African-Americans from the rural South to the cities in the North between 1915 and 1920. the rural South to the cities in the North between 1915 and 1920.

African Americans were drawn to the better pay, a higher standard African Americans were drawn to the better pay, a higher standard of living, and improved political rights in the cities of the North. of living, and improved political rights in the cities of the North.

1919 Race Riots1919 Race Riots The summer of 1919 became The summer of 1919 became

known as "red summer" known as "red summer" because over two dozen cities because over two dozen cities including Washington DC, including Washington DC, Chicago, and Omaha, Chicago, and Omaha, experienced violent, racially-experienced violent, racially-motivated uprisings. motivated uprisings.

In the South, lynchings In the South, lynchings occurred frequently and in occurred frequently and in the North, whites sometimes the North, whites sometimes reacted violently to African reacted violently to African Americans arriving as the Americans arriving as the Great Migration was Great Migration was underway.underway.

Headline from the Omaha World-Herald, September 29, 1919

1919 Race Riots1919 Race Riots

The Omaha Race Riot occurred September 28, 1919. This photo shows rioters on the south side of Douglas County

Courthouse in Omaha, Nebraska.

1919 Race Riots1919 Race Riots

Soldiers on guard at 24th and Lake streets in Omaha, following the riot.

1919 Race Riots1919 Race Riots

A disturbing photo of the burning of Will Brown's body during the Omaha riot.

The Red Scare The Red Scare A growing climate of A growing climate of

xenophobia, anti-radicalism, xenophobia, anti-radicalism, and nativism accompanied a and nativism accompanied a repressive shift in the repressive shift in the government's attitude toward government's attitude toward dissent during WWI and into dissent during WWI and into the 1920’s. the 1920’s.

Many feared anarchism or Many feared anarchism or Bolshevism would seize the Bolshevism would seize the United States.United States.

During this period, "alien" During this period, "alien" residents were targeted and residents were targeted and deported. deported.

The First Amendment rights The First Amendment rights of Americans were sometimes of Americans were sometimes supplanted as the country supplanted as the country succumbed to anti-succumbed to anti-communist hysteria. communist hysteria.

A “European Anarchist” stalks Lady Liberty.

From A. Mitchell Palmer’s From A. Mitchell Palmer’s “The Case Against the “The Case Against the

Reds”Reds” ““Like a prairie-fire, the blaze of revolution was Like a prairie-fire, the blaze of revolution was

sweeping over every American institution … sweeping over every American institution … eating its way into the homes of the American eating its way into the homes of the American workmen, its sharp tongues of revolutionary heat workmen, its sharp tongues of revolutionary heat were licking the altars of the churches, leaping were licking the altars of the churches, leaping into the belfry of the school bell, crawling into the into the belfry of the school bell, crawling into the sacred corners of American homes, seeking to sacred corners of American homes, seeking to replace marriage vows with libertine laws, replace marriage vows with libertine laws, burning up the foundations of society. …”burning up the foundations of society. …”

"there could be no nice distinctions drawn "there could be no nice distinctions drawn between the theoretical ideals of the radicals and between the theoretical ideals of the radicals and their actual violations of our national laws.“their actual violations of our national laws.“

The Palmer Raids, 1918-The Palmer Raids, 1918-19211921

In 1919, a period of labor disturbances and several bombing In 1919, a period of labor disturbances and several bombing incidents linked to anarchists resulted in aggressive targeting of incidents linked to anarchists resulted in aggressive targeting of suspected radicals by the government. suspected radicals by the government.

Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer launched a series of raids Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer launched a series of raids against radical and progressive organizations, often without search against radical and progressive organizations, often without search warrants. warrants.

By early 1920, more than five thousand people were arrested. Many By early 1920, more than five thousand people were arrested. Many of the suspects were deported, sometimes illegally of the suspects were deported, sometimes illegally

The Seattle General The Seattle General Strike Strike

The Seattle General Strike The Seattle General Strike occurred in February 1919, occurred in February 1919, with over 100 unions with over 100 unions participating.participating.

Americans denounced the Americans denounced the strike, characterizing it as a strike, characterizing it as a threat to the social order and threat to the social order and a possible prelude to a a possible prelude to a Bolshevik-style revolution. Bolshevik-style revolution.

Seattle's mayor Ole Hanson Seattle's mayor Ole Hanson summoned the police to summoned the police to arrest socialists and the staff arrest socialists and the staff of labor-owned press outlets.of labor-owned press outlets.

The national press dubbed The national press dubbed Hanson "The Savior of Hanson "The Savior of Seattle." Seattle."

The strike lasted only a few The strike lasted only a few days, but the anti-radical days, but the anti-radical sentiment endured well into sentiment endured well into the 1920's as Americans the 1920's as Americans yearned for a return to calm, yearned for a return to calm, simplicity, "Americanism."simplicity, "Americanism."

From Ole Hanson’s From Ole Hanson’s Statement on the Seattle Statement on the Seattle

General StrikeGeneral Strike "... We swore in 1,000 extra police and hold in "... We swore in 1,000 extra police and hold in

reserve citizens armed with rifles and shotguns. I reserve citizens armed with rifles and shotguns. I gave orders to shoot on sight any disturbance of gave orders to shoot on sight any disturbance of the peace. They knew from experience, they had the peace. They knew from experience, they had at a riot a few weeks ago, that we meant at a riot a few weeks ago, that we meant business and believe me, we did. business and believe me, we did.

I wanted a I wanted a showdown. If there is a majority of these showdown. If there is a majority of these (unprintable) in the United States I don't want to (unprintable) in the United States I don't want to live here. … we would fight until we were dead live here. … we would fight until we were dead before we even allowed them to turn out one before we even allowed them to turn out one eight-candlepower light..." eight-candlepower light..."

Schenck v. United Schenck v. United States, 1919States, 1919

Concerns about radical Concerns about radical elements in the country elements in the country sometimes led the sometimes led the curtailment of rights by the curtailment of rights by the government. government.

The nation was traumatized The nation was traumatized by the war, and thus more by the war, and thus more willing to exchange some of willing to exchange some of its freedom for security. its freedom for security.

In Schenck v. United States, In Schenck v. United States, the Court concluded that:the Court concluded that: speech normally protected speech normally protected

by the First Amendment by the First Amendment may not be acceptable may not be acceptable during a time of war. during a time of war.

courts are not obligated to courts are not obligated to protect words that “create protect words that “create a clear and present a clear and present danger" to the government danger" to the government and the nation. and the nation.

Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes

Society and Economy in Post-WWI America Powerpoint Photo CitationsSlide 2: http://mednews.stanford.edu/story_images/flu-history-110905.jpgSlide 3: http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/mmi/jmoodie/influen2.htmlSlide 4: http://history.acusd.edu/gen/WW2Pics/81486.GIFSlide 5: http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/graphic/large/Versailles.jpgSlide 6: http://history.acusd.edu/gen/WW2Pics/81481.GIFSlide 7: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA03/holmgren/prohib/images/news_dry.gifSlide 8: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/images/kaiser_wilson_poster.jpgSlide 9: http://www.blackbetsy.com/imagefarm/joe-jackson-1917-700.jpg Slide 10: http://docsouth.unc.edu/wwi/41909/A-441-50.jpgSlide 11: http://ecuip.lib.uchicago.edu/diglib/social/chi1919/aline/a3/a3colcit.gifSlide 12: http://www.inmotionaame.org/Slide 13, 15, 16: http://bss.sfsu.edu/tygiel/Hist427/1919Photos/omaharaceriot.htmSlide 14: http://bss.sfsu.edu/tygiel/Hist427/1919Photos/nebrioters.jpgSlide 17: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/SaccoV/redscare.htmlSlide 18: http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/hist409/palmer.htmlSlide 19: http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Goldman/Exhibition/eg25.jpgSlide 20: http://faculty.washington.edu/gregoryj/strike/Slide 21: http://www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/STRIKES!/exh.htmlSlide 22: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/library/images/historical/eugenics/Holmes.jpgSlide 23: http://chaucer.library.emory.edu/wwi/images/realsize/army_days.jpg