Trouble In Paradise (If, Trouble In Paradise (If, by Paradise, you mean by Paradise, you mean Gary, Indiana): The U.S. Gary, Indiana): The U.S.

after WWIafter WWI

Chapter 14, Section 4Chapter 14, Section 4

December 5, 2008December 5, 2008

The Post WWI EconomyThe Post WWI Economy

After the war, prices of goods go up, After the war, prices of goods go up, increasing the COST OF LIVING.increasing the COST OF LIVING.

This comes about from INFLATION This comes about from INFLATION (which, if you stayed awake at any (which, if you stayed awake at any point during the month of September, point during the month of September, you know raises prices).you know raises prices).

Workers wanted higher wages, but Workers wanted higher wages, but companies wanted wages low.companies wanted wages low.

STRIKES occur throughout the country.STRIKES occur throughout the country.

And itAnd it’’s one, two, three strikes, s one, two, three strikes, youyou’’re out…re out…

Seattle General Strike – Started in Seattle General Strike – Started in shipyards, but moves to workers in shipyards, but moves to workers in all other unions. Shuts down the city all other unions. Shuts down the city for 5 days.for 5 days.

Boston Police Strike (1919) – Police Boston Police Strike (1919) – Police walk off the job. Riots erupt and walk off the job. Riots erupt and Gov. CALVIN COOLIDGE calls the Nat. Gov. CALVIN COOLIDGE calls the Nat. Guard.Guard.

Steel Strike – 350,000 steel workers Steel Strike – 350,000 steel workers strike across the country. Riots in strike across the country. Riots in Gary, Indiana leave 18 strikers dead.Gary, Indiana leave 18 strikers dead.

RED SCARERED SCARE

The Strikes, as well as the Bolshevik The Strikes, as well as the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, make people FEAR Revolution in Russia, make people FEAR COMMUNISM. COMMUNISM.

Many see supporting Communism as Many see supporting Communism as unpatriotic and disloyal.unpatriotic and disloyal.

Beginning in 1919, many people fear that Beginning in 1919, many people fear that Communists might take over the country.Communists might take over the country.

When bombs to politicians show up in the When bombs to politicians show up in the mail, people suspect Communist activity.mail, people suspect Communist activity.

PALMER RAIDSPALMER RAIDS

A. Mitchell Palmer is the U.S. ATTORNEY A. Mitchell Palmer is the U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL. In 1919, a bomb explodes near GENERAL. In 1919, a bomb explodes near his house, and everyone suspects his house, and everyone suspects Communists or anarchists.Communists or anarchists.

Palmer (perhaps understandably) flies off Palmer (perhaps understandably) flies off the handle and starts raiding and arresting the handle and starts raiding and arresting people he believed to be radical. These people he believed to be radical. These raids continue form 1919 to 1921.raids continue form 1919 to 1921.

His raids were illegal – they didnHis raids were illegal – they didn’’t use t use search warrants, and he jailed people search warrants, and he jailed people indefinitely. indefinitely.

Initially, people back him, but eventually Initially, people back him, but eventually he loses credibility.he loses credibility.

An End to the Progressive Era An End to the Progressive Era (Finally)(Finally)

In 1920, the Democrats nominate a In 1920, the Democrats nominate a progressive candidate for president progressive candidate for president (James Cox), and he is defeated by (James Cox), and he is defeated by the Republican Warren G. Harding.the Republican Warren G. Harding.

This signals the END of the This signals the END of the Progressive Era. The American Progressive Era. The American people have grown tired of change.people have grown tired of change.