Era 5 - Era 5 - 1920s: Affluence, 1920s: Affluence, Anxiety, and AchievementAnxiety, and Achievement

I. Postwar ProblemsI. Postwar Problems

The Red ScareThe Red Scare

RED SCARE = A TIME PERIOD OF RED SCARE = A TIME PERIOD OF FEAR OF COMMUNISMFEAR OF COMMUNISM

COMMUNISM = A POLITICAL SYSTEM COMMUNISM = A POLITICAL SYSTEM IN WHICH AN AUHTORITARIAN IN WHICH AN AUHTORITARIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROLS THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLS THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION (FACTORIES) MEANS OF PRODUCTION (FACTORIES) AND DISTRIBUTES WEALTH EQUALLY.AND DISTRIBUTES WEALTH EQUALLY.

Philosopher Karl Marx thought that a Philosopher Karl Marx thought that a worker revolution would overthrow worker revolution would overthrow capitalism and result in communism.capitalism and result in communism.

Red Scare (con’t.)Red Scare (con’t.) As a result of the Russian Revolution, As a result of the Russian Revolution,

Americans imagined Communists as the Americans imagined Communists as the worst possible threat to their way of lifeworst possible threat to their way of life

The ideals of Socialism and Communism The ideals of Socialism and Communism were tied, often erroneously, to the were tied, often erroneously, to the American labor movementAmerican labor movement

Strikes increased and the government Strikes increased and the government responded with a series of raids by a responded with a series of raids by a young J. Edgar Hoover to round up young J. Edgar Hoover to round up suspected subversives and radicalssuspected subversives and radicals

Labor Labor troubles troubles worried worried Americans, Americans, who thought who thought that that Communism Communism would soon would soon followfollow

Americans thought “Reds” Americans thought “Reds” or Communists would sneak or Communists would sneak into the USAinto the USA

1919 – Philadelphia Inquirer, Morgan

“Put them out and keep them out.”

The Sacco & Vanzetti CaseThe Sacco & Vanzetti Case

1920 Massachusetts Robbery1920 Massachusetts Robbery Two Anarchist, Pro-Labor, Italian immigrants, Two Anarchist, Pro-Labor, Italian immigrants,

Sacco and Vanzetti, picked up for the crimeSacco and Vanzetti, picked up for the crime Trial did not prove guilt, but found guilty Trial did not prove guilt, but found guilty

anyway (because of anarchist political beliefs)anyway (because of anarchist political beliefs) Police and legal system thought to have been Police and legal system thought to have been

corruptcorrupt Executed 1927, after many failed appeals, Executed 1927, after many failed appeals,

workers all over the world demonstrated on workers all over the world demonstrated on their behalf.their behalf.

Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola SaccoNicola Sacco

NativismNativism Hand-in-hand with the Red Scare was Hand-in-hand with the Red Scare was

Nativism – favoring people born in the USA Nativism – favoring people born in the USA and discriminating against immigrantsand discriminating against immigrants

This led to the Immigration Act of 1921 This led to the Immigration Act of 1921 which set quotas for how many people which set quotas for how many people could immigrate to the USA from a certain could immigrate to the USA from a certain countrycountry

These quotas were based upon first-wave These quotas were based upon first-wave immigration and discriminated against immigration and discriminated against South and East EuropeansSouth and East Europeans

Would immigrants bring Would immigrants bring communism with them?communism with them?

The labor and The labor and communist communist troubles of the troubles of the era began to era began to influence those influence those who favored who favored restriction upon restriction upon new immigrants, new immigrants, many of which many of which were sympathetic were sympathetic to the views of to the views of unions and unions and communists.communists.

The Ku Klux KlanThe Ku Klux Klan Reemerged in 1919, after its hibernation Reemerged in 1919, after its hibernation

since Grant’s Reconstruction crack-downsince Grant’s Reconstruction crack-down Reconstruction Klan accepted almost Reconstruction Klan accepted almost

anyone, 1920s Klan was thoroughly anti-anyone, 1920s Klan was thoroughly anti-foreign, anti-Semitic, and anti-Catholic as foreign, anti-Semitic, and anti-Catholic as well as racistwell as racist

Endorsed immigration restrictions and Endorsed immigration restrictions and prohibition, Opposed flappers and evolutionprohibition, Opposed flappers and evolution

Especially motivated to keep black Especially motivated to keep black Americans “in their place”Americans “in their place”

1920s KKK in West 1920s KKK in West VirginiaVirginia

KKK March in D.C.KKK March in D.C.

II. A Prospering II. A Prospering EconomyEconomy

The Rising Standard The Rising Standard of Livingof Living Americans are now the wealthiest people in the Americans are now the wealthiest people in the

world and engaged in CONSUMERISM – A world and engaged in CONSUMERISM – A GREATER CONSUMPTION OF GOODSGREATER CONSUMPTION OF GOODS

Americans of the post-war years had more leisure Americans of the post-war years had more leisure time and a shorter work week (thanks to unions)time and a shorter work week (thanks to unions)

Educational opportunities expanded for some Educational opportunities expanded for some peoplepeople

Corporate mergers began to increase again, with Corporate mergers began to increase again, with an emphasis on professional management and an emphasis on professional management and employee careemployee care

The Automobile CultureThe Automobile Culture By the 1920s, one in four people had a By the 1920s, one in four people had a

carcar The manufacture of the automobile The manufacture of the automobile

underwent enormous growth in the underwent enormous growth in the postwar years, stimulating the rubber, postwar years, stimulating the rubber, steel, and petroleum industriessteel, and petroleum industries

The growing affordability of the auto The growing affordability of the auto forced governments to pave more streets forced governments to pave more streets with federal assistancewith federal assistance

The auto contributed to the creation of The auto contributed to the creation of city suburbs and rampant pollutioncity suburbs and rampant pollution

A Sunday Drive…A Sunday Drive…

A Communications A Communications RevolutionRevolution

During the 1920s, the number of homes During the 1920s, the number of homes with telephones increased from 9 to 13 with telephones increased from 9 to 13 millionmillion

Radio and motion pictures began to Radio and motion pictures began to solidify a shared identity of Americans solidify a shared identity of Americans through entertainment, news, and sportsthrough entertainment, news, and sports

                              

                                                                

Cities Also Grew in the 1920s as More and More People Left the Farm and Moved to the City

III.III.Hopes Raised, Hopes Raised, Promises DeferredPromises Deferred

WomenWomen Women were joining the workforce in Women were joining the workforce in

larger numbers (about 1 in 4 women larger numbers (about 1 in 4 women worked)worked)

Women had just earned the right to voteWomen had just earned the right to vote Young women were challenging Young women were challenging

traditional roles by:traditional roles by: Working & living on own Working & living on own Wearing short (knee-length) flapper dressesWearing short (knee-length) flapper dresses Cutting hair shortCutting hair short Wearing make-upWearing make-up

Flapper – Flapper – Called Called “flapper” “flapper” because beads because beads on dress on dress flapped around flapped around while dancing while dancing the the “Charleston”“Charleston”

Religious FundamentalismReligious Fundamentalism Many of the religious faithful saw a major Many of the religious faithful saw a major

spiritual crisis in the sweeping changes of the spiritual crisis in the sweeping changes of the 1920s1920s

CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISM – THE CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISM – THE BELIEF THAT THE BIBLE IS LITERALLY TRUE BELIEF THAT THE BIBLE IS LITERALLY TRUE AND MUST BE OBEYED, socially conservativeAND MUST BE OBEYED, socially conservative

survived the era of sophistication, survived the era of sophistication, modernization, and changemodernization, and change

Radio spread the message of the fundamentalist Radio spread the message of the fundamentalist preachers and attracted numerous converts to preachers and attracted numerous converts to those ministers who could readily adapt to the those ministers who could readily adapt to the new communications technologynew communications technology

Scopes Monkey TrialScopes Monkey Trial One example of religious fundamentalism was the Scopes One example of religious fundamentalism was the Scopes

Monkey Trial – a court case that put a Tennessee teacher Monkey Trial – a court case that put a Tennessee teacher on trial for teaching Darwin’s new theories of evolution on trial for teaching Darwin’s new theories of evolution (against the law in many southern states)(against the law in many southern states)

Two great lawyers of the time argued the case:Two great lawyers of the time argued the case: William Jennings Bryan (3-time Pres. Candidate, Sec of State William Jennings Bryan (3-time Pres. Candidate, Sec of State

under Wilson)under Wilson) Clarence Darrow – great criminal lawyer – wanted to “put Bryan Clarence Darrow – great criminal lawyer – wanted to “put Bryan

in his place as a bigot”in his place as a bigot” Judge ruled in favor of the school district and said Judge ruled in favor of the school district and said

teachers could not teach evolutionteachers could not teach evolution However, Darrow won the public’s favorHowever, Darrow won the public’s favor

                                       

Football coach, biology Football coach, biology teacher, John Scopes, agree teacher, John Scopes, agree to be arrested in order to to be arrested in order to put the law to the testput the law to the test

Lawyers Lawyers Bryan and Darrow Bryan and Darrow

Court case attracted Court case attracted tons of attentiontons of attention

                                       

Rhea County Courthouse, Tennessee,

July 1925

Rural America in the Rural America in the 1920s1920s American farmers, as a rule, did not share in the American farmers, as a rule, did not share in the

prosperity of the 1920s.prosperity of the 1920s. When WWI ended, Europe started growing own When WWI ended, Europe started growing own

food again – Americans were now overproducingfood again – Americans were now overproducing A vicious cycle of overproduction to meet A vicious cycle of overproduction to meet

demands continually lowered market prices of demands continually lowered market prices of produce, forcing many farmers into the produce, forcing many farmers into the poorhousepoorhouse

Advancements in agriculture (pesticides and Advancements in agriculture (pesticides and advanced fertilizers) increased yield per acre and advanced fertilizers) increased yield per acre and put many farmers out of businessput many farmers out of business

Poor conditions for farmers was another reason Poor conditions for farmers was another reason why urbanization increased in the 1920swhy urbanization increased in the 1920s

IV.IV. The Business of The Business of PoliticsPolitics

Global ExpansionGlobal Expansion The 1920s was a decade of dramatic expansion in The 1920s was a decade of dramatic expansion in

business, finance, and trade for the United Statesbusiness, finance, and trade for the United States Continued involvement in the affairs of Central Continued involvement in the affairs of Central

and South America to protect American and South America to protect American investments and bring allies into leadership investments and bring allies into leadership positions positions

But USA was also trying to be a better neighbor But USA was also trying to be a better neighbor and improve relationships with Mexico and other and improve relationships with Mexico and other Latin American countries (remove Roosevelt Latin American countries (remove Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine)Corollary to Monroe Doctrine)

USA was isolationist after WWIUSA was isolationist after WWI

Booming BusinessBooming Business President Calvin Coolidge declares that President Calvin Coolidge declares that

“America’s Business is Business!”“America’s Business is Business!” Consumerism Increased – More people Consumerism Increased – More people

could afford to buy products, so more could afford to buy products, so more people were employed to make productspeople were employed to make products

People even had money to invest in the People even had money to invest in the Stock Market – they’d buy on MARGIN Stock Market – they’d buy on MARGIN (pay 10% of the price in cash, then pay (pay 10% of the price in cash, then pay the rest later, after the stock value the rest later, after the stock value increased)increased)

President Calvin President Calvin CoolidgeCoolidge

1923 – 1929

(took over when President Harding died on his way home from Alaska)

Stock Market CrashStock Market Crash The prosperity of the decade came to a The prosperity of the decade came to a

screeching halt in 1929 with the collapse screeching halt in 1929 with the collapse of the nation’s stock marketof the nation’s stock market

Many investors had responded to the Many investors had responded to the booming economy by buying stocks on booming economy by buying stocks on margin (borrowing to invest).margin (borrowing to invest).

An overextension of the market caused a An overextension of the market caused a crash with a represented loss of over $26 crash with a represented loss of over $26 million on papermillion on paper

Dow Jones ValueDow Jones ValueValue had been at 100 in 1926, Maxed out at 381 Sept. 3, 1926, Crashed Oct. 24, 1929 and eventually fell down to 145 by November 1929 (-62%).

Chaos of Oct. 24, 1929 Stock Chaos of Oct. 24, 1929 Stock Market Crash, Market Crash, Outside NY Stock ExchangeOutside NY Stock Exchange

V. 1920s CultureV. 1920s Culture

Literature of 1920s Literature of 1920s Provides Social Provides Social CommentaryCommentary

F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgerald questions consumerism questions consumerism and high society in “The and high society in “The Great Gatsby.” It is a good Great Gatsby.” It is a good characterization of the characterization of the 1920s.1920s.

Ernest Hemingway writes Ernest Hemingway writes about WWI experiences in about WWI experiences in “A Farewell to Arms.” “A Farewell to Arms.”

African-American Authors Also African-American Authors Also Critique Society: Part of Critique Society: Part of Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance

Harlem Renaissance – blossoming of Harlem Renaissance – blossoming of African-American social thought and African-American social thought and culture centered in Harlem, NYC in the culture centered in Harlem, NYC in the 1920s1920s

Authors, Artists, Musicians, Historians, Authors, Artists, Musicians, Historians, Political Thinkers, Dancers, Actors, and Political Thinkers, Dancers, Actors, and Playwrights Playwrights

African American Culture Became More African American Culture Became More Mainstream and Influenced American Mainstream and Influenced American Society GreatlySociety Greatly

Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance AuthorsAuthors

Langston Hughes – PoetLangston Hughes – Poet Celebrated African American culture as well Celebrated African American culture as well

as pointed out how African Americans were as pointed out how African Americans were not sharing in the prosperity of the 1920s, not sharing in the prosperity of the 1920s, most famous: most famous: Dream DeferredDream Deferred

Zora Neale Hurston – WriterZora Neale Hurston – Writer Focused on African American folktales and Focused on African American folktales and

wrote in southern dialect - most famous: wrote in southern dialect - most famous: Their Eyes Were Watching GodTheir Eyes Were Watching God (not (not published until 1937)published until 1937)

Langston Hughes and Zora Langston Hughes and Zora Neale HurstonNeale Hurston

Jazz = The Music of the Jazz = The Music of the 1920s1920s

JAZZ: a lively style of music characterized by JAZZ: a lively style of music characterized by a strong but flexible rhythm with improvisations a strong but flexible rhythm with improvisations on basic tunes and chord patternson basic tunes and chord patterns

Jazz reflected positive spirit of the 1920sJazz reflected positive spirit of the 1920s Inspired new dances, like the CharlestonInspired new dances, like the Charleston Louis Armstrong – amazing trumpeterLouis Armstrong – amazing trumpeter Bessie Smith – talented singerBessie Smith – talented singer George Gershwin – wrote musical scores for George Gershwin – wrote musical scores for

Broadway as well as songsBroadway as well as songs

Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, George GershwinGeorge Gershwin

VI. Prohibition & VI. Prohibition & Criminal GangsCriminal Gangs

ProhibitionProhibition PROHIBITION = made transporting and PROHIBITION = made transporting and

consuming alcohol illegal (18consuming alcohol illegal (18thth Amendment, 1919)Amendment, 1919)

Why? Progressives wanted to combat Why? Progressives wanted to combat crime, family violence, and povertycrime, family violence, and poverty

Results?Results? Bootlegging = Making, selling, or Bootlegging = Making, selling, or

transporting alcoholic liquor for sale transporting alcoholic liquor for sale illegally. illegally.

Organized Crime = Controls Illegal Liquor Organized Crime = Controls Illegal Liquor Sales, Has Gang Wars over TerritorySales, Has Gang Wars over Territory

Trying to Enforce Trying to Enforce ProhibitionProhibition

Al CaponeAl Capone

Ran a criminal gang in ChicagoRan a criminal gang in Chicago Made about $60 million from illegal liquor Made about $60 million from illegal liquor

sales, $25 million from illegal gambling, and sales, $25 million from illegal gambling, and $20,000,000 elsewhere$20,000,000 elsewhere

Bribed police to keep in businessBribed police to keep in business Responsible for St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Responsible for St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

of Six Members of the Bugs Moran Gang of Six Members of the Bugs Moran Gang (1929)(1929)

Gov’t Finally Convicted Him of Tax Fraud in Gov’t Finally Convicted Him of Tax Fraud in 1931 – 11 years sentence1931 – 11 years sentence

Al CaponeAl Capone

Prohibition ResultsProhibition Results

Positives: Positives: Decrease in alcoholism and alcohol-related Decrease in alcoholism and alcohol-related

deathsdeaths Negatives:Negatives:

Criminal Gangs, ViolenceCriminal Gangs, Violence Gov’t Can’t Enforce ItGov’t Can’t Enforce It

2121stst Amendment – Ends Prohibition Amendment – Ends Prohibition (1933)(1933)

VII. AchievementsVII. Achievements

Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh

May 20-21,1927: First solo-flight across May 20-21,1927: First solo-flight across the Atlantic Ocean (from Long Island, NY the Atlantic Ocean (from Long Island, NY to Paris, France)to Paris, France)

Became VERY popularBecame VERY popular

Charles Lindbergh and his Charles Lindbergh and his Plane: Plane: The Spirit of St. The Spirit of St. LouisLouis

Babe RuthBabe Ruth

Tremendous Tremendous baseball hitter in baseball hitter in the 1920s – the 1920s – played for the played for the dominating NY dominating NY YankeesYankees

Henry FordHenry Ford First person to First person to

mass-produce carsmass-produce cars Made cars Made cars

affordable to the affordable to the middle classmiddle class

Paid his workers Paid his workers well ($5 day), so well ($5 day), so they could afford to they could afford to buy the cars (but buy the cars (but was also very was also very opposed to unions)opposed to unions)