The Roaring TwentiesThe Roaring Twenties

Chapter 31 ThemesChapter 31 Themes Return to Republican presidents and a rejection of Return to Republican presidents and a rejection of

progressive reform and policiesprogressive reform and policies Return to isolationism, social conservatism, and the Return to isolationism, social conservatism, and the

arrival of mass consumptionarrival of mass consumption Period of rapid cultural change due to changes in Period of rapid cultural change due to changes in

technology, mass marketing, entertainment. But back technology, mass marketing, entertainment. But back lash is increased cultural anxiety and sharp critique lash is increased cultural anxiety and sharp critique of American life. of American life.

So………Return of KKK, increase in anti-immigrants So………Return of KKK, increase in anti-immigrants and new laws in immigration, Red Scare, Prohibition, and new laws in immigration, Red Scare, Prohibition, and Scopes Monkey Trialand Scopes Monkey Trial

Chapter 31 ThemesChapter 31 Themes New TechnologyNew Technology

Mass produced carsMass produced cars RadioRadio HollywoodHollywood PlanesPlanes Mass marketing Mass marketing

Flapper GirlsFlapper Girls Speakeasies and rise of Gangsterism Speakeasies and rise of Gangsterism Harlem Renaissance and JazzHarlem Renaissance and Jazz Marcus Garvey and UNIAMarcus Garvey and UNIA Lost Generation Lost Generation Modernism Modernism Stock Market Boom and BustStock Market Boom and Bust

1920’s1920’s In many ways, the 1920’s were a response to the In many ways, the 1920’s were a response to the

Progressive period and World War I.Progressive period and World War I. Nation responded to the Progressive Moralistic period Nation responded to the Progressive Moralistic period

with the counter-culture backlashwith the counter-culture backlash• Speakeasies, flappers, Jazz, gangsterism, Harlem Speakeasies, flappers, Jazz, gangsterism, Harlem

Renaissance, mass media, rise in strikes and Renaissance, mass media, rise in strikes and UnionismUnionism

World War I coupled with the Spanish Flu (675,000 World War I coupled with the Spanish Flu (675,000 Americans died and estimated 21 million worldwide) Americans died and estimated 21 million worldwide) left Americans disillusioned. Especially with the failed left Americans disillusioned. Especially with the failed peace after the war, world was not safe for peace after the war, world was not safe for democracydemocracy

1920’s1920’s

Roaring 20’sRoaring 20’s

After the war, Americans turn inwards:After the war, Americans turn inwards: Shunned diplomatic commitments to other Shunned diplomatic commitments to other

countriescountries Denounced radical foreign ideas (socialism Denounced radical foreign ideas (socialism

and communism)and communism) Condemned un-American lifestylesCondemned un-American lifestyles Closed the door on immigrationClosed the door on immigration Economically, they also looked inward and Economically, they also looked inward and

partly closed the domestic economy off from partly closed the domestic economy off from the worldthe world

Roaring 20’sRoaring 20’s Boom of the 1920’s was economically beneficial Boom of the 1920’s was economically beneficial

to all Americans:to all Americans: Income and living standards roseIncome and living standards rose New technologies and new forms of entertainment New technologies and new forms of entertainment

made the 20’s exciting and what gave it is name the made the 20’s exciting and what gave it is name the Roaring 20’sRoaring 20’s

However, underneath the surface, trouble was However, underneath the surface, trouble was brewing:brewing: Rampant speculation Rampant speculation Little governmental oversightLittle governmental oversight Citizens taking on more debtCitizens taking on more debt A sense that America was moving away from its A sense that America was moving away from its

traditional ways. traditional ways.

The “Red Scare”The “Red Scare”The “Red Scare”The “Red Scare”

““What a Year Has What a Year Has Brought Forth” – Brought Forth” – NY NY

WorldWorld

““Put Them Out & Keep Them Out” – Put Them Out & Keep Them Out” – Philadelphia InquirerPhiladelphia Inquirer

The Red ScareThe Red ScareThe Red ScareThe Red Scare Labor Strikes at the end of the war led Labor Strikes at the end of the war led

many Americans to believe their was a many Americans to believe their was a strong communist faction in America. strong communist faction in America. Strike in Seattle in 1919, the mayor Strike in Seattle in 1919, the mayor called for federal troops to head off called for federal troops to head off “the anarchy of Russia.”“the anarchy of Russia.”

Red Scare occurred from 1919-1920 Red Scare occurred from 1919-1920 Attorney General, A. Mitchell Palmer Attorney General, A. Mitchell Palmer

((The Case Against the RedsThe Case Against the Reds)) Palmer Raids – 1920Palmer Raids – 1920

Arrested an estimated 6,000 accused RedsArrested an estimated 6,000 accused Reds

Police Arrest “Suspected Reds’ in Police Arrest “Suspected Reds’ in Chicago, 1920Chicago, 1920

““Red Scare” – Palmer Red Scare” – Palmer RaidsRaids

““Red Scare” – Palmer Red Scare” – Palmer RaidsRaids

““Red Scare” – Palmer Red Scare” – Palmer RaidsRaids

““Red Scare” – Palmer Red Scare” – Palmer RaidsRaids

A. Mitchell Palmer’s A. Mitchell Palmer’s Home Bombed, 1920Home Bombed, 1920

Other events that led to the hysteria:

-December 1919, the Buford. 249 a alleged alien radicals were shipped of to the workers paradise of Russia. -S.O.S- Ship or Shoot in regards to the Reds

-September 1920, on Wall Street a bomb exploded killing 38 people

-State laws made it unlawful the mere advocacy of violence to promote social change. Groups such as IWW were arrested and free speech again under attack

-American plan was the open shop, as businesspeople took advantage of RedScare to limit unions and label themBolsheviks.

Sacco and VanzettiSacco and Vanzetti Nicola Sacco- shoe factory workerNicola Sacco- shoe factory worker Bartolomeo Vanzetti- fish peddlerBartolomeo Vanzetti- fish peddler Both were convicted in 1921 of murder in Both were convicted in 1921 of murder in

MassachusettsMassachusetts Manty argued that the jury and judge were Manty argued that the jury and judge were

prejudice because they were Italians, prejudice because they were Italians, anarchists, atheists, and draft dodgers. anarchists, atheists, and draft dodgers.

Case dragged on for 6 years, until 1927 Case dragged on for 6 years, until 1927 when both men were sentenced to death when both men were sentenced to death by electrocutionby electrocution

Communists and other radicals given two Communists and other radicals given two martyrs for the class struggle argumentmartyrs for the class struggle argument

Most agree that in a different environment Most agree that in a different environment without the Read Scare, the verdict would without the Read Scare, the verdict would have been prison and not death. have been prison and not death.

Ku Klux Klan RevivalKu Klux Klan Revival 1920’s KKK grew in popularity in response to the 1920’s KKK grew in popularity in response to the

war and changes in society.war and changes in society. Resembled more the nativist movement of the 1850’s Resembled more the nativist movement of the 1850’s

as opposed to the KKK of reconstructionas opposed to the KKK of reconstruction It was anti the following:It was anti the following:

• Foreign, Catholic, black, Jewish, pacifist, Communist, Foreign, Catholic, black, Jewish, pacifist, Communist, internationalist, revolutionist, bootlegger, gambling, adultery, internationalist, revolutionist, bootlegger, gambling, adultery, and birth-control. and birth-control.

It was pro the following:It was pro the following:• Anglo-Saxon, native born Americans, Protestant. Anglo-Saxon, native born Americans, Protestant.

Basically, they reflected an extremist, Basically, they reflected an extremist, ultraconservative response to the forces of ultraconservative response to the forces of diversity and modernity that were changing diversity and modernity that were changing AmericaAmerica

Ku Klux Klan RevivalKu Klux Klan Revival Grew in popularity in Grew in popularity in

the Midwest and the Midwest and especially the Bible especially the Bible Belt.Belt.

At its peak in the At its peak in the 1920’s the KKK had 5 1920’s the KKK had 5 million due paying million due paying members. members.

In late 1920’s crimes In late 1920’s crimes of embezzlement hurt of embezzlement hurt Klan leadership and it Klan leadership and it started to lose started to lose popularity. popularity.

Immigration ReformImmigration Reform Some 800,000 immigrants arrived from 1920-Some 800,000 immigrants arrived from 1920-

1921, with 2/3rds coming from southern or 1921, with 2/3rds coming from southern or eastern Europe. eastern Europe.

Americans started to speak out against the New Americans started to speak out against the New Immigrants and asked for reforms.Immigrants and asked for reforms.

IN 1921, Congress passed the Emergency IN 1921, Congress passed the Emergency Quota Act of 1921:Quota Act of 1921: Quota was 3 percent of the people of the nationality Quota was 3 percent of the people of the nationality

who lived in the U.S. in 1910who lived in the U.S. in 1910• So, if there were 1 million Italians in 1910, 30,000 Italians So, if there were 1 million Italians in 1910, 30,000 Italians

could enter after the Quota act per year. could enter after the Quota act per year. • The EQA of 1921 was favorable to Southern and Eastern The EQA of 1921 was favorable to Southern and Eastern

Europeans because many lived in U.S. in 1910Europeans because many lived in U.S. in 1910

Immigration ReformImmigration Reform Immigration Act of 1924:Immigration Act of 1924:

Quotas cut from 3% to 2%.Quotas cut from 3% to 2%. Nation-origins basis shifted from 1910 to 1890. This Nation-origins basis shifted from 1910 to 1890. This

greatly hurt Southern and Eastern Europeans.greatly hurt Southern and Eastern Europeans. For example, only 5,802 Italians could come per year For example, only 5,802 Italians could come per year

based on this new quota. based on this new quota. Goal was to freeze America’s racial composition Goal was to freeze America’s racial composition

at the time. at the time. Act also slammed the door on Japanese Act also slammed the door on Japanese

immigration. immigration. Canadians and Latin Americans were excempt Canadians and Latin Americans were excempt

from the act. from the act.

Immigration reformImmigration reform The quota system marked a huge The quota system marked a huge

departure from previous immigration policy departure from previous immigration policy in many ways:in many ways: Immigration dwindled to a trickle. Essentially, Immigration dwindled to a trickle. Essentially,

put up a No vacancy sign.put up a No vacancy sign. By 1931, more foreigners left than came to By 1931, more foreigners left than came to

America. America. Marks the end of the unrestricted immigration Marks the end of the unrestricted immigration

era. Some 35 million immigrants came to era. Some 35 million immigrants came to America over the last century. But this stops America over the last century. But this stops in 1924. A new age in American immigration in 1924. A new age in American immigration policy. policy.

Response to ImmigrationResponse to Immigration

Cultural Pluralists:Cultural Pluralists: Two reformers championed different ideas about Two reformers championed different ideas about

immigration:immigration:• Horace KallenHorace Kallen

Believed that ethnic groups should be able to protect their Believed that ethnic groups should be able to protect their traditional culture and be free to practice it in America. He traditional culture and be free to practice it in America. He thought it should be like an orchestra.thought it should be like an orchestra.

• Randolph BourneRandolph Bourne Believed in having more interaction and sharing between the Believed in having more interaction and sharing between the

different groups. He believed in a more international and different groups. He believed in a more international and multicultural age. multicultural age.

Both reformers influenced other intellectuals who Both reformers influenced other intellectuals who supported ethnic diversity, pluralism, and supported ethnic diversity, pluralism, and cosmopolitanism. cosmopolitanism.

ProhibitionProhibition 1818thth Amendment started Amendment started

the Prohibition Era.the Prohibition Era. Volstead Act Volstead Act

implemented Prohibitionimplemented Prohibition Popular in the South and Popular in the South and

WestWest But opposition remained But opposition remained

in large eastern cities in large eastern cities where immigrant groups where immigrant groups lived. Old World style of lived. Old World style of social life was often social life was often centered on alcohol. centered on alcohol.

ProhibitionProhibition

Naïve in nature:Naïve in nature: Overlooked America’s tradition of alcohol and also of Overlooked America’s tradition of alcohol and also of

little or small central government oversight in people’s little or small central government oversight in people’s private lives. private lives.

Also neglected that it is difficult to make something a Also neglected that it is difficult to make something a crime overnight that many people do. It is similar to crime overnight that many people do. It is similar to saying we are going to make eating fast food a crime saying we are going to make eating fast food a crime tomorrow because it is bad for our health. tomorrow because it is bad for our health.

Lastly, nearly impossible to enforce. Speakeasies Lastly, nearly impossible to enforce. Speakeasies were common, as well as bootlegging, and many were common, as well as bootlegging, and many police forces turned a blind eye. police forces turned a blind eye.

Prohibition and GangstersProhibition and Gangsters Prohibition made alcohol illegal and it also Prohibition made alcohol illegal and it also

pushed it into the realm of organized crime. pushed it into the realm of organized crime. Rival gangs fought each other for turf and where they Rival gangs fought each other for turf and where they

could sell. could sell. Gang wars in Chicago killed an estimated 500 Gang wars in Chicago killed an estimated 500

mobsters.mobsters. Most famous of all was Al Capone, who was finally Most famous of all was Al Capone, who was finally

arrested on tax evasion charges and served 11 years arrested on tax evasion charges and served 11 years in a federal prisonin a federal prison

After Prohibition, organized crime moved to other After Prohibition, organized crime moved to other vices: prostitution, drugs, gambling. Forced vices: prostitution, drugs, gambling. Forced merchants to pay protection money. Infiltrated unions merchants to pay protection money. Infiltrated unions to run rackets.to run rackets.

Estimated in 1930 that the underworld raked in 12-18 Estimated in 1930 that the underworld raked in 12-18 billion dollars per year. More than the federal billion dollars per year. More than the federal government.government.

Scopes Monkey TrialScopes Monkey Trial

Showed the conflict between Science and Showed the conflict between Science and religion. religion. Erupted over a law that banned the teaching of Erupted over a law that banned the teaching of

Darwinism and Evolution in Tennessee. Darwinism and Evolution in Tennessee. John Scopes was caught teaching it in Dayton, John Scopes was caught teaching it in Dayton,

Tennessee. Tennessee. • Famed Chicago trial lawyer Charles Darrow defended him.Famed Chicago trial lawyer Charles Darrow defended him.• William Jennings Bryan prosecuted himWilliam Jennings Bryan prosecuted him

Journalists from all over descended on the small town Journalists from all over descended on the small town in this famous debate between theology and biology.in this famous debate between theology and biology.

Scopes found guilty and paid $100 fine. Later Scopes found guilty and paid $100 fine. Later rescinded by the Supreme Court of Tennessee.rescinded by the Supreme Court of Tennessee.

Scopes Monkey TrialScopes Monkey Trial