Introduction to the “Roaring Twenties”

Objective

Following the lesson, SWBAT…understands significant events, social issues, and individuals of the 1920s

5 Results of WWI

Adjusting to Peace: 1919-1921

• Americans returned to policy of isolationism• Factories used for military production &

farmers lost their markets in Europe --- led to economic recession (1919-1921)

The Red Scare• Russia had been ill-prepared for

war– In 1917 mutinies led to overthrow of

tsar • Communists threatened to spread

their revolution around the world• Wave of strikes in 1919 led to Red

Scare: atmosphere of panic surrounding communism in the U.S.

Red Scare Events• Palmer Raids– Italian anarchist set off bomb outside home of

Attorney General Mitchell Palmer– One of a series of attacks against political officials

in 8 cities– Palmer convinced that a radical plot to overthrow

gov’t was underway– Palmer ordered round-up of 4,000 suspects in

several cities w/o a warrant– His assistant J. Edgar Hoover directed raids– Most later released, 600 deported

Red Scare Events• Sacco and Vanzetti Case– 2 Italian immigrants convicted of committing

murder during a robbery– Robbery allegedly committed to obtain funds for

anarchist revolution– Not sufficient evidence to convict– Found guilty and both executed

Harding Administration1921-1923

• Warren Harding elected President by a landslide in 1920

• “return to normalcy” – campaign slogan

• Under Harding:– U.S. refused to join League of Nations– Enacted high tariffs– Lowered taxes– Restricted immigration

Harding Administration• Harding resisted anti-Semitism• Signed an act creating child health care

centers• Pursued arms reduction by supporting U.S.

membership in the World Court

Harding Administration• Serious weakness:– Appointed personal friends (the Ohio gang); were

dishonest• Teapot Dome Scandal– Secretary of Interior leased oil-rich lands at Teapot

Dome, Wyoming to 2 business friends in exchange for personal bribes

– One of the worst scandals in U.S. history

Harding Administration• More poor choices…– Another appointment, Charles Forbes stole

millions from the construction of hospitals for returning war veterans

– These scandals have left a lasting stain on his reputation

Coolidge Administration1923-1929

• Harding’s VP• Took over when Harding died; elected to

another term in 1924• Symbolized old-fashioned values• Known as “Silent Cal” – spoke so infrequently

in public

Hoover Administration1929-1933

• Skilled engineer and self-made millionaire• Secretary of Commerce under President Coolidge• Predicted end of poverty if he was elected• Did not want too much government interference• “Rugged Individualism”: system where individuals were given equal

opportunities, a free education, and a will to succeed – spurred progress.