The 1920s The 20s had not one, but countless faces, some of them ugly and hateful Bill Moyers Popular Image Other Side Roaring 20s Conflict Roaring 20s Conflict Jazz Age Controversy Jazz Age Controversy Prosperity Contrast Prosperity Contrast Conformity Reaction Conformity Reaction There was the popular / romantic side but also another less glamorous side Roaring 20s 1. Movies 1. Movies 2. Mass Media / Communication 2. Mass Media / Communication 3. Music 3. Music 4. Fashion / Flappers 4. Fashion / Flappers 5. Sports 5. Sports 6. Harlem Renaissance 6. Harlem Renaissance 7. Automobiles 7. Automobiles 8. Consumerism / Advertising / Credit 8. Consumerism / Advertising / Credit Lesser Known Side 1. Cultural Conflict 1. Cultural Conflict 2. Racial Conflict 2. Racial Conflict 3. Religious Conflict 3. Religious Conflict 4. Gangsterism 4. Gangsterism 5. Economic Conflict (labor, farmer) 5. Economic Conflict (labor, farmer) 6. Womens Rights 6. Womens Rights 7. Political Conflict 7. Political Conflict 1. Movies Black and white and silent at first Black and white and silent at first Sound added in 1927: Al Jolsons the Jazz Singer, the first talking movie; advent of sound brought a whole new dimension.no color in the 20s Sound added in 1927: Al Jolsons the Jazz Singer, the first talking movie; advent of sound brought a whole new dimension.no color in the 20s Inexpensive escapism, entertainment: Nickelodeons Inexpensive escapism, entertainment: Nickelodeons Huge interest in lives of movie stars became national celebrities / sex symbols, role models Huge interest in lives of movie stars became national celebrities / sex symbols, role models Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo (Swedish), Lillian Gishpeople copied their dress, habits.etc Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo (Swedish), Lillian Gishpeople copied their dress, habits.etc Attendance increased from 40m to 80m annually from Attendance increased from 40m to 80m annually from Contributed to development of a national culture, standardization of values, customs etc.. the entire nation seeing the same movies, same influences, values, fashion Contributed to development of a national culture, standardization of values, customs etc.. the entire nation seeing the same movies, same influences, values, fashion The form of media most credited with changing how Americans saw themselves (Moyers) The form of media most credited with changing how Americans saw themselves (Moyers) Also served as a source of Advertising.contributed to Consumer Spending (advertising indirectly in the movie, and directly before, and during intermission) Also served as a source of Advertising.contributed to Consumer Spending (advertising indirectly in the movie, and directly before, and during intermission) Newsreels provided information on world and national events; motion pictures revolutionized news coverage Newsreels provided information on world and national events; motion pictures revolutionized news coverage Advent of the Movies: Charlie Chaplin in one of his greatest feature- length comedie s, The Kid Douglas Fairbanks playing the role of a Spanish Don Mary Pickford knitting for war orphans while on a movie set Lillian Gish posing for a publicity shot Rudolph Valentino Valentino in Son of the Sheik Rudolph Valentino, the leading male movie star of the 1920s, starred in such costume epics as The Sheik and Son of the Sheik. This poster advertises Son of the Sheik, which appeared after Valentino's death in 1926, at the age of 31, from complications following the removal of his appendix. 2. Mass Media / Communication Newspapers National chains of syndicated newspapers, replaced local, regional newspapers: same news / views presented nationwide: standardized national culture National chains of syndicated newspapers, replaced local, regional newspapers: same news / views presented nationwide: standardized national culture Increase in number of newspapers, (esp. tabloids); circulation increased by 42% from Increase in number of newspapers, (esp. tabloids); circulation increased by 42% from More magazines: Time, Readers Digest More magazines: Time, Readers Digest Newspapers contributed to and benefited from increase in Literacy Newspapers contributed to and benefited from increase in Literacy Another source of Advertising. Led to increase in consumer spending Another source of Advertising. Led to increase in consumer spending General Electric refrigerator advertisement circa 1920 Radio Radio First commercial Radio Station: KDKA in Pittsburg: Jan First commercial Radio Station: KDKA in Pittsburg: Jan NBC: first national radio network: 1927 NBC: first national radio network: 1927 By 1929, 12m families owned radios By 1929, 12m families owned radios Provided news, and entertainment (music, soap operas) Provided news, and entertainment (music, soap operas) Like movies, newspapers, radio contributed to standardization of culture / development of national culture Like movies, newspapers, radio contributed to standardization of culture / development of national culture Also another source of Advertising. Led to increased consumer spending Also another source of Advertising. Led to increased consumer spending 3. Music Two new kinds of music: upbeat, frenetic, Jazz: and soulful, sad Blues Two new kinds of music: upbeat, frenetic, Jazz: and soulful, sad Blues Both with roots in African American culture in the South Both with roots in African American culture in the South Blues emerged from AA work songs and chants of slaves: spread from South to North: popularized by Bessie Smith (Empress of the Blues) and Ma Rainey in clubs of Northern citiesand on the Radio Blues emerged from AA work songs and chants of slaves: spread from South to North: popularized by Bessie Smith (Empress of the Blues) and Ma Rainey in clubs of Northern citiesand on the Radio Jazz began in New Orleans: also brought North by AA migrants Jazz began in New Orleans: also brought North by AA migrants Joseph King Olivers Creole Jazz Band, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington: among the most famous Jazz Musicians of the 20s Joseph King Olivers Creole Jazz Band, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington: among the most famous Jazz Musicians of the 20s Also popularized in the clubs (Cotton Club in Harlem, one of the most famous) and on the Radio: associated with speakeasies during prohibition Also popularized in the clubs (Cotton Club in Harlem, one of the most famous) and on the Radio: associated with speakeasies during prohibition Energetic, upbeat, Charleston Dance was associated with Jazz: Energetic, upbeat, Charleston Dance was associated with Jazz: Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong, born in 1900, first began to play the trumpet in New Orleans but emerged as a leading innovator in jazz after 1924, when he joined Fletcher Henderson's orchestra in New York. Some of his recordings from the 1920s are among the most original and imaginative contributions to jazz. 4. Fashion, Dress Post-Victorian fashionable young ladies were called Flappers (slides) Post-Victorian fashionable young ladies were called Flappers (slides) Rebelled against culture, fashion, appearance of their parents / older generation: against Victorian culture Rebelled against culture, fashion, appearance of their parents / older generation: against Victorian culture Short bobbed hair, clothing had lower neckline and raised hemline, exposed their knees, smoked and drank in public, used makeup, birth control (Margaret Sanger), danced the Charleston, drove cars, partook in fads (marathon dancing etc) Short bobbed hair, clothing had lower neckline and raised hemline, exposed their knees, smoked and drank in public, used makeup, birth control (Margaret Sanger), danced the Charleston, drove cars, partook in fads (marathon dancing etc) Flappers More Flappers Flapper Flappers Margaret Sanger leaving court of Special Sessions after arraignment Margaret Sanger is seen here in 1916, leaving court after being charged with distributing birth control information illegally. During the Progressive Era, women worked to remove legal barriers to obtaining information on preventing conception. 5. Sports Huge increase in Professional and Recreational / Amateur sports; and in interest, attendance, fans Huge increase in Professional and Recreational / Amateur sports; and in interest, attendance, fans Tennis, golf, swimming, baseball, football, boxing, horse racing Tennis, golf, swimming, baseball, football, boxing, horse racing Babe Ruth, best know baseball player home-run legend Babe Ruth, best know baseball player home-run legend Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney fought twice for the world heavyweight boxing championship (Tunney won both, the second one famous for the long count 15 seconds) Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney fought twice for the world heavyweight boxing championship (Tunney won both, the second one famous for the long count 15 seconds) 105,000 people paid $2.6m (record box-office receipt at this time) to watch their re-match in Soldier Field, Chicago in 1926: 50m also listened on the Radio 105,000 people paid $2.6m (record box-office receipt at this time) to watch their re-match in Soldier Field, Chicago in 1926: 50m also listened on the Radio Red Grange: most famous football player: the Galloping Ghost; another famous footballer was Newt Rockney Red Grange: most famous football player: the Galloping Ghost; another famous footballer was Newt Rockney Gertrude Ederle: famous swimmer: first woman to swim the English Channel, breaking the mens record Gertrude Ederle: famous swimmer: first woman to swim the English Channel, breaking the mens record Helen Wills; tennis: Bobby Jones, Golf Helen Wills; tennis: Bobby Jones, Golf Charles Lindbergh (Lucky Lindy) first solo flight across the Atlantic, West to East, NY to Paris, 1927: Spirit of St. Louis a triumph of spirit / old value of rugged individualism and modern science and technology Charles Lindbergh (Lucky Lindy) first solo flight across the Atlantic, West to East, NY to Paris, 1927: Spirit of St. Louis a triumph of spirit / old value of rugged individualism and modern science and technology Amelia Earhart: first woman to fly solo across Atlantic: disappeared in 1937 Amelia Earhart: first woman to fly solo across Atlantic: disappeared in 1937 Popularized by media reports, by advertising Popularized by media reports, by advertising Sports Mania: NY Yankee star Babe Ruth hits first home run of the 1924 season Tunney versus Dempsey fight Red Grange the Galloping Ghost Gertrude Ederle stopping for nourishment on English Channel swim Lindbergh In a celebrity-obsessed decade, Lindbergh rocketed to instant fame after his 1927 solo transatlantic flight. 6. Harlem Renaissance Literary and artistic (writing, music, art) movement encouraged among AAs in Northern cities: started in Harlems cafes, restaurants, clubs Literary and artistic (writing, music, art) movement encouraged among AAs in Northern cities: started in Harlems cafes, restaurants, clubs Inspired by urgings of Alaine Locke, an African American professor of literature at Howard University Inspired by urgings of Alaine Locke, an African American professor of literature at Howard University Inspired by speeches and writings of WEB Du Bois and Marcus Garvey (slide) Inspired by speeches and writings of WEB Du Bois and Marcus Garvey (slide) Leading poets, writers of the Harlem Renaissance were Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Zora Neale Hurston Leading poets, writers of the Harlem Renaissance were Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Zora Neale Hurston Marcus Garvey presiding over meeting of his back-to-Africa followers Drew inspiration from their roots and heritage: Langston Hughes expressed the spirit of the HR when he declared I am a Negro, and beautiful. Drew inspiration from their roots and heritage: Langston Hughes expressed the spirit of the HR when he declared I am a Negro, and beautiful. Marcus Garvey formed the Negro Improvement Association, centered in Harlem focus on Pride, Economic Independence and the African Orthodox Church (with a black Christ and Mary) and later the Back to Africa Movement(Black Star line of ships..sank_ Marcus Garvey formed the Negro Improvement Association, centered in Harlem focus on Pride, Economic Independence and the African Orthodox Church (with a black Christ and Mary) and later the Back to Africa Movement(Black Star line of ships..sank_ Survey Graphic cover, March, 1925 This was the cover of a special issue of Survey Graphic published in March of A popular magazine of the period, Survey Graphic devoted the entire issue to Harlem and the emergence of a new consciousness among its African-American residents. 7. Automobiles More than anything, the automobile defined the culture of America in the 20s More than anything, the automobile defined the culture of America in the 20s Production perfected by Ford: Perfected Assembly line (1910) using ideas of Taylor (scientific management) and Whitney (interchangeable parts) Production perfected by Ford: Perfected Assembly line (1910) using ideas of Taylor (scientific management) and Whitney (interchangeable parts) Reduced assembly time from 14 hours to 93 minutes: turned out 1 car every 10 seconds Reduced assembly time from 14 hours to 93 minutes: turned out 1 car every 10 seconds Reduced cost of Model T (all black) from $600 (1912) to $260 (1927) Reduced cost of Model T (all black) from $600 (1912) to $260 (1927) By 1930 there were 30m cars in the US (a quarter of all the worlds cars) By 1930 there were 30m cars in the US (a quarter of all the worlds cars) Huge impact on culture: suburban living, vacations to far off places, shopping at malls Huge impact on culture: suburban living, vacations to far off places, shopping at malls Also contributed to standardization of culture / national culture (like movies, media, radio..) through shared experiences from travel Also contributed to standardization of culture / national culture (like movies, media, radio..) through shared experiences from travel Ford advertising Henry Ford constantly worked to reduce car prices on his cars. He also promoted installment buying, promising in this ad that "with even the most modest income, [every family] can now afford a car of their own." This ad also encouraged impulse buying: "You live but once and the years roll by quickly. Why wait for tomorrow for things that you rightfully should enjoy today?" Ford Highland Park assembly line, 1928 Pictured here is the assembly line for Model-A Fords, at Ford's main assembly plant in Assembly line workers quickly perform the same task on car after car as the chassis moves past them at the rate of six feet per minute. Ford pioneered the assembly line as a way to reduce both cost and dependence on skilled workers. He paid the highest wages in Detroit but required complete obedience from his workers, even to the point of prohibiting whistling while at work. New Forms of Transportation Family touring in 1920 auto July 4 at Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts, early 1920s Hundreds of identical Fords jam Nantasket Beach near Boston on a Fourth of July in the early 1920s. 8. Consumerism Huge consumer spending in the 20s Huge consumer spending in the 20s Encouraged by extensive advertising in newspapers, magazines, radio, movies, billboards Encouraged by extensive advertising in newspapers, magazines, radio, movies, billboards Facilitated by easy Credit and Installment Plans Facilitated by easy Credit and Installment Plans 75% of cars, 85% of furniture, 70% of washing machines were bought on credit 75% of cars, 85% of furniture, 70% of washing machines were bought on credit In the 20s people watched sports, listened to the radio, went to the movies, drove cars, went shopping.. because middle and working class people had: In the 20s people watched sports, listened to the radio, went to the movies, drove cars, went shopping.. because middle and working class people had: more free time due to the reduction of the work day and work week more free time due to new domestic labor saving devices such as the vacuum cleaner, dish washer, electric irons, electric toaster. more money due to salary increases and wartime savings (as well as easy access to credit) - Psychology of liberation survived WWI, so now should enjoy life to the fullest -Soldiers returning from war were determined to enjoy life -Workers were anxious to spend wartime savings domestic goods were available again. Went on a spending spree Billboard advertising candy General Electric ad Electric appliances became commonplace in the 1920s and advanced the consumer economy. Note here the obvious link between a daughter and her mother, whose domestic tasks appear to be made easier and more appealing by an electric range, a vacuum cleaner, and an iron. General Electric ad Listerine ad Advertising promised that those who used Listerine to eliminate halitosis would gain friends and even romance. Listerine ad Radio ad Between 1922 and 1930, the number of families owning radios swelled from 60,000 to almost 14 million. Manufacturers such as RCA produced a variety of sizes and shapes and took out full- page advertisements in popular publications to inform the public about the latest development in design and technology. Radio ad But the 20s was also a decade of Conflict, Controversy, Contrast, and Reaction But the 20s was also a decade of Conflict, Controversy, Contrast, and Reaction 1. Cultural Conflict Older generation, religious leaders attacked growing materialism, hedonism, philistinism of younger generation (drink, clothes, cars, smoking..)generation gap Older generation, religious leaders attacked growing materialism, hedonism, philistinism of younger generation (drink, clothes, cars, smoking..)generation gap Writers esp. were critical: Hemingway, Scott-Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby), mocked the new culture and moved to Paris to escape from it Writers esp. were critical: Hemingway, Scott-Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby), mocked the new culture and moved to Paris to escape from it Gertrude Stein called these exiles the lost generation Gertrude Stein called these exiles the lost generation John Dos Passos, Sinclair Lewis (Babbit and Main Street), and H.L. Mencken also ridiculed the new culture (but didnt move overseas), as did Ezra Pound, Eugene O Neill, T.S. Eliot John Dos Passos, Sinclair Lewis (Babbit and Main Street), and H.L. Mencken also ridiculed the new culture (but didnt move overseas), as did Ezra Pound, Eugene O Neill, T.S. Eliot 2. Racial Unrest Huge migration of African Americans to the North Huge migration of African Americans to the North Faced as much prejudice there as in the South: got only menial jobs and lived in poverty in inner cities (de facto segregation / discrimination) Faced as much prejudice there as in the South: got only menial jobs and lived in poverty in inner cities (de facto segregation / discrimination) KKK became active again (David Stephenson, new leader) (slide), again targeting African Americans KKK became active again (David Stephenson, new leader) (slide), again targeting African Americans Lynching occurred in Nth too, not just South Lynching occurred in Nth too, not just South Segregation also continued in the armed forces Segregation also continued in the armed forces Race Riots occurred in many northern cities in 20s caused by conflict and tension.Chicago, NY Race Riots occurred in many northern cities in 20s caused by conflict and tension.Chicago, NY Racism was also directed by Nativists against New Immigration: KKK, Kearneyites, anti-Immigration laws: 1921, 1924 (see previous Unit / Topic on Immigration ) Racism was also directed by Nativists against New Immigration: KKK, Kearneyites, anti-Immigration laws: 1921, 1924 (see previous Unit / Topic on Immigration ) Ku Klux Klan pamphlet: "America for Americans" This image is from a Ku Klux Klan pamphlet published in the mid-1920s, when the Klan claimed as many as five million members nationwide. The Klan portrayed itself as defending traditional, white, Protestant America against Jews, Catholics, and African Americans. Ku Klux Klan parade in Washington, D.C., September 13, 1926 In a brazen display of power, the Ku Klux Klan organized a march in the nation's capital in By this time, the Klan was already in decline. Ku Klux Klan marching down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., 1925 Poster: Birth of a Nation D. W. Griffith's epic film glorified the racist Ku Klux Klan. Lynching protest parade, Washington, D.C., 1922 African Americans intensified their efforts to put an end to lynching. This protest parade was held in Washington, D.C., in The NAACP's efforts to secure a federal antilynching law, however, were repeatedly defeated by southerners in Congress. 3. Religious Conflict Traditionalism / Fundamentalism (Bible, Old Values, Conservative) v Modernism Traditionalism / Fundamentalism (Bible, Old Values, Conservative) v Modernism Aimee Semple McPherson (LA) and Billy Sunday famous Fundamentalist preachers Aimee Semple McPherson (LA) and Billy Sunday famous Fundamentalist preachers Traditionalists shocked by new morality represented by Flappers, Speakeasies, Charleston Traditionalists shocked by new morality represented by Flappers, Speakeasies, Charleston Traditionalists esp. rejected Darwinism / Evolution: led to a huge Creationism v Evolution debate Traditionalists esp. rejected Darwinism / Evolution: led to a huge Creationism v Evolution debate Scopes Trial / Monkey Trial in Tennessee, 1925: a Science teacher, John Scopes, was prosecuted for violation of Butler Act prohibiting the teaching of Evolution (slide) Scopes Trial / Monkey Trial in Tennessee, 1925: a Science teacher, John Scopes, was prosecuted for violation of Butler Act prohibiting the teaching of Evolution (slide) Defended by Clarence Darrow of the ACLU v Wm Jennings Bryan for the prosecution Defended by Clarence Darrow of the ACLU v Wm Jennings Bryan for the prosecution Huge media coverage; broadcast live nationally: showdown between Traditionalism / Fundamentalism and Modernism Huge media coverage; broadcast live nationally: showdown between Traditionalism / Fundamentalism and Modernism Clarence Darrow at the Scopes Evolution trial Clarence Darrow's (at left) passionate devotion to freedom of thought, led him to the courtroom pictured here, in defense of John Thomas Scopes, a teacher accused of teaching the theory of evolution. Scopes found guilty and fined $100 dollars (token punishment only): but ACLU claimed victory because Bryan admitted that bible could not always be interpreted literally (world not make in 6 days) Scopes found guilty and fined $100 dollars (token punishment only): but ACLU claimed victory because Bryan admitted that bible could not always be interpreted literally (world not make in 6 days) 4. Crime, Gangsterism Prohibition Amendment, 18 th, was unpopular: high demand for bootleg alcohol Prohibition Amendment, 18 th, was unpopular: high demand for bootleg alcohol Smuggled, secretly / illegally manufactured (bootleg), distributed, sold in Speakeasies (underground bars): too few and many corrupt agents: huge border impossible to protect Smuggled, secretly / illegally manufactured (bootleg), distributed, sold in Speakeasies (underground bars): too few and many corrupt agents: huge border impossible to protect Lucrative business attracted gangs, gangsters: organized crime: Al Capone, Chicago; Scarface: killed his rivals (eventually prosecuted for tax evasion) Lucrative business attracted gangs, gangsters: organized crime: Al Capone, Chicago; Scarface: killed his rivals (eventually prosecuted for tax evasion) Emergence in the US of a general casual attitude to the law Emergence in the US of a general casual attitude to the law Federal agents inspecting illegal distillery Federal agent inspecting Chicago drinking Decoctions Federal agent destroying illegal barrel of moonshine Woman showing Repeal 18 th tire cover Prohibition: A woman concealing a flask of liquor in her boot during prohibition. 5. Economic Conflict, Decline Many strikes in late 1910s and early 1920s Many strikes in late 1910s and early 1920s Boston Police (Gov. Coolidge said they had no right to jeopardize public safety), steelworkers of mid West, coalminers some strikes turned violentclashes between strikers and police Boston Police (Gov. Coolidge said they had no right to jeopardize public safety), steelworkers of mid West, coalminers some strikes turned violentclashes between strikers and police Usually smeared with Bolshevism / Communism by employers, authorities, media, govt. to discredit them Usually smeared with Bolshevism / Communism by employers, authorities, media, govt. to discredit them Construction and automobile industries prospered in 20s but others declined Construction and automobile industries prospered in 20s but others declined 1920s 1.1C Car bombing on streets of New York Coal miners, textile workers, farmers all saw decline in salaries, standard of living: poverty: lived in tenements of inner cities: jobs were hard and tedious Coal miners, textile workers, farmers all saw decline in salaries, standard of living: poverty: lived in tenements of inner cities: jobs were hard and tedious Prosperity of 20s is not shared by everyone; one third of population lived below the poverty level (household income of less than $1,500 a year) Prosperity of 20s is not shared by everyone; one third of population lived below the poverty level (household income of less than $1,500 a year) 6. Womens Rights Gained right to vote with 19 th Amendment Gained right to vote with 19 th Amendment But no real role in politics, still could not run for office (slide) But no real role in politics, still could not run for office (slide) And still faced discrimination in the job market: had mostly only access to pink collar jobs secretaries, switch board operators, sales assistants And still faced discrimination in the job market: had mostly only access to pink collar jobs secretaries, switch board operators, sales assistants Impossible to reach supervisory or managerial positions, (glass ceiling) Impossible to reach supervisory or managerial positions, (glass ceiling) 1920s 3.3C National Womens Party Headquarters in 1920 7. Political Conflict / Division Red Scare of Paranoia about spread of Communism from Russia: Lenins Comintern promoted international socialism Paranoia about spread of Communism from Russia: Lenins Comintern promoted international socialism Concern about frequency of strikes.Socialism? Concern about frequency of strikes.Socialism? But there were only 2 small Communist parties in the US with a combined membership of 70,000 and a Socialist Party with only 30,000 members But there were only 2 small Communist parties in the US with a combined membership of 70,000 and a Socialist Party with only 30,000 members Trouble on May-day 1919: mail bombs were intercepted: caused Govt. fear Trouble on May-day 1919: mail bombs were intercepted: caused Govt. fear In June, bombs exploded in 8 different cities, including the house of Attorney General, Palmer (slide) In June, bombs exploded in 8 different cities, including the house of Attorney General, Palmer (slide) Palmer overacted: created FBI, directed by J. Edgar Hoover to gather information on Communists in the US: many people were arrested on vague charges of espionage, sedition.. Palmer overacted: created FBI, directed by J. Edgar Hoover to gather information on Communists in the US: many people were arrested on vague charges of espionage, sedition.. Vigilante groups were encouraged to watch out for Communists / Communist activity Vigilante groups were encouraged to watch out for Communists / Communist activity 30 states passed Sedition Laws 30 states passed Sedition Laws Dec. 1919: Palmer Raids: deportation of 249 workers to Russia on the Soviet Ark (SS Buford): no charges, no wrongdoing; 4,000 more arrests in 1920 Dec. 1919: Palmer Raids: deportation of 249 workers to Russia on the Soviet Ark (SS Buford): no charges, no wrongdoing; 4,000 more arrests in : Sacco and Vanzetti: Italian immigrants, arrested and put on trial for murder: circumstantial evidence only: found guilty: executed 1927 (slide).victims of Red Scare paranoia / hysteria..convenient scapegoats 1921: Sacco and Vanzetti: Italian immigrants, arrested and put on trial for murder: circumstantial evidence only: found guilty: executed 1927 (slide).victims of Red Scare paranoia / hysteria..convenient scapegoats Prejudiced judge (Webster Thayer) and jury Prejudiced judge (Webster Thayer) and jury Condemned by ACLU: huge protests Condemned by ACLU: huge protests Pardoned by Mass Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1977 Pardoned by Mass Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1977 1920s 1.1D Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer 1920s 1.1E Cartoon of Uncle Sam throwing out alien Reds 1920s 1.1F Vanzetti (left) and Sacco are seen listening to their death sentence in Massachusetts courtroom in 1926 Presidential Elections of 1920s Harding defeated Democrat Cox in 1920 (solemn referendum about Treaty of Versailles) (slide) Harding defeated Democrat Cox in 1920 (solemn referendum about Treaty of Versailles) (slide) Promised return to normalcy end strikes, communism, internationalismrestore isolationism Promised return to normalcy end strikes, communism, internationalismrestore isolationism Aware of his limitations he app. bright (millionaires) Cabinet Secretaries: Hughes (State), Hoover (Commerce), Mellon (Treasury) (slide) Aware of his limitations he app. bright (millionaires) Cabinet Secretaries: Hughes (State), Hoover (Commerce), Mellon (Treasury) (slide) Surrounded by friends in Ohio Gang (like Jacksons Kitchen Cabinet) Surrounded by friends in Ohio Gang (like Jacksons Kitchen Cabinet) 1920s 2.1A President Warren G. Harding and his pet dog at the White House 1920s 2.1B President Harding with his cabinet Front row: Charles Even Hughes, John W. Weeks, Will Hayes, Albert B. Fall and Herbert Hoover Back row: Andrew Mellon, Harry M. Daugherty, Edwin Denby, Henry C. Wallace and James J. Davis Several Scandals under his Admin (like Grantism) Several Scandals under his Admin (like Grantism) Charles Forbes: head of Veterans Bureau, found selling medical supplies for profit Charles Forbes: head of Veterans Bureau, found selling medical supplies for profit Harry Daugherty: AG: gave pardons and liquor permits for profit; forced to resign but not convicted jury twice failed to agree Harry Daugherty: AG: gave pardons and liquor permits for profit; forced to resign but not convicted jury twice failed to agree Albert Fall: Sec. of Interior: Teapot Dome (and Elk Hills) Scandal: leased govt. land to oil explorers (Sinclair and Doheny both acquitted) for personal gain / bribe (land, cattle, loans, totaling about $400,000): fired, fined $100,000, imprisoned (first Cabinet Sec to go to jail.) (slide) Albert Fall: Sec. of Interior: Teapot Dome (and Elk Hills) Scandal: leased govt. land to oil explorers (Sinclair and Doheny both acquitted) for personal gain / bribe (land, cattle, loans, totaling about $400,000): fired, fined $100,000, imprisoned (first Cabinet Sec to go to jail.) (slide) So much for normalcy So much for normalcy 1920s 2.1C Albert B. Fall (far left) former Secretary of the Interior. 1920s 2.2B 1920s 2.2D Caption: The First Good Laugh Theyve Had in Years Harding died of a heart attack in 1923 Harding died of a heart attack in 1923 Coolidge took over and then won 1924 election: honest, dour, didnt like being President, took a back seat to Cabinet, delegated, silent Cal, investigated corruption in the party and ousted those responsible (slides) Coolidge took over and then won 1924 election: honest, dour, didnt like being President, took a back seat to Cabinet, delegated, silent Cal, investigated corruption in the party and ousted those responsible (slides) Conservative, anti-Progressive, like Harding: Laissez Faire govt. policies: Pro-business; the business of America is business Conservative, anti-Progressive, like Harding: Laissez Faire govt. policies: Pro-business; the business of America is business Allowed monopolies, trusts to form or reform: continued trend of war years; further erosion of Progressive regulation or trust busting Allowed monopolies, trusts to form or reform: continued trend of war years; further erosion of Progressive regulation or trust busting 1920s 2.1D Vice President Coolidge being sworn in as President 1920s 2.1E President Coolidge with presidential transition team. 1920s 2.1F President Calvin Coolidge with family at White House. 1920s 2.1G Coolidge, Mellon, and Hoover. 1920s 2.2E Poor Picking 1920s 2.2H Doing it Right 1920s 2.2F Appointed conservative businessmen to ICC, FTC who did nothing to interfere with big business Appointed conservative businessmen to ICC, FTC who did nothing to interfere with big business Appointed conservatives to Supreme Court also did not enforce anti-trust legislation Appointed conservatives to Supreme Court also did not enforce anti-trust legislation Presidential Election of 1928: Hoover v Smith (slides) Presidential Election of 1928: Hoover v Smith (slides) Smith, the happy warrior: Irish American Catholic, favored immigration, end of prohibition, regulation or nationalization of utilities, public health plan, workers compensation. Progressivism: represented urban America (slide) Smith, the happy warrior: Irish American Catholic, favored immigration, end of prohibition, regulation or nationalization of utilities, public health plan, workers compensation. Progressivism: represented urban America (slide) Hoover: conservative businessman, Laissez Faire, creationism / fundamentalist, rural America, nativist, anti- Progressive Hoover: conservative businessman, Laissez Faire, creationism / fundamentalist, rural America, nativist, anti- Progressive 1920s 2.1I Herbert Hoover speaking in New York City 1920s 2.2C Caption of 1928 cartoon reads: Puritan civilization, which has built a sturdy, orderly nation is threatened by Smith 1920s 2.1J Alfred E. Smith ( center) the Democratic challenger in the election of 1928 Hoover won, but Smith carried the 12 largest cities in USshowed urban v rural cultural and political divide Hoover won, but Smith carried the 12 largest cities in USshowed urban v rural cultural and political divide 1920s 1.1J Cartoon showing government in the 1920s as a bewildered Little Old Lady in the Shoe