Politics of the Roaring Twenties

1. Politics of the Roaring Twenties Honors US History

2. Section 1: Objectives • By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: • 1. Summarize the reaction in the United States to the perceived threat of communism. • 2. Analyze the causes and effects of the quota system in the United States. • 3. Describe some of the postwar conflicts between labor and management.

3. Section 1: Americans Struggle With Postwar Issues Main Idea: A desire for normalcy after the war and a fear of communism and “foreigners” led to postwar isolationism. Why it Matters Now: Americans today continue to debate political isolationism and immigration policy. Key Terms: Nativism Isolationism Communism Anarchists Quota System Key Names: Sacco and Vanzetti John L. Lewis

4. Postwar Trends: • WW I had left America exhausted. • Soldiers returning from war face unemployment • The economy was badly bruised ($ for the war) • Cost of living had doubled • Americans started to become fearful of outsiders (jobs, safety)

5. Nativism and Isolationism: • Nativism – Prejudice against foreign-born people • Isolationism – Policy of pulling away from involvement in world affairs. • Why do you think these two things caught on in America after the war?

6. Fear of Communism: • People were fearful that Communists were trying to take over America. • Communism – An economic and political system based on a single-party government ruled by a dictatorship. • A Communist Party formed in the US – 70,000 people joined. • Bombs were mailed to government offices and buildings. • This time period became known as the “Red Scare”

7. Palmer Raids: • Government officials began hunting down suspected communists, socialists, and anarchists. • Anarchist – People who oppose any form of government. • In the Palmer Raids, private homes and businesses were raided and hundreds were deported. • These raids failed to turn up anything big and were seen as a failure.

8. Sacco and Vanzetti: A Famous Case • In 1920, two Italian immigrants (and anarchists) were accused of murdering two factory guards • Witnesses said the criminals looked Italian • Sacco and Vanzetti were executed with no solid evidence • This is another example of the strong power of nativism.

9. The Klan Rises Again: • By 1924, KKK membership reached 4.5 million – all white male and native born. • The Klan believed in keeping black “in their place” and driving foreign born people out of America. • They were a radical and violent group • D.W. Griffith’s film – A Birth of a Nation was critically acclaimed in 1915. • Link to article on the film

10. Limiting Immigration: • “Keep America for Americans” became the new slogan. • Less unskilled labor jobs were needed. • American resentment towards immigration had reached an all time high.

11. The Quota System: • From 1919-1921, the number of immigrants had grown almost 600% (from 141,000 to 805,000 people) • Congress decided that things needed to slow down. • They passed The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 – This system established the maximum number of people who could enter the US from each foreign country. • It worked – but the law prohibited Japanese immigrants and limited other particular groups (Roman Catholics and Jews) • This angered many groups

12. A Time Of Labor Unrest: • 1919 saw more than 3,000 labor strikes – 4 million workers walked off the job. • Even the Boston Police went on strike (union issues) • 300,000 steel workers also walked off their jobs. • Coal Miners went on strike as well • John L. Lewis led a protest and got them a 27% raise! • America was losing faith in it’s economy and presidency.

13. Did We Meet Our Objectives? • Can You: • 1. Summarize the reaction in the United States to the perceived threat of communism. • 2. Analyze the causes and effects of the quota system in the United States. • 3. Describe some of the postwar conflicts between labor and management.

14. Section 2: Objectives • By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: • 1. Contrast Harding’s policy of “normalcy” with progressive era reforms. • 2. Identify scandals that plagued the Harding Administration.

15. Section 2: The Harding Presidency Main Idea: The Harding administration appealed to America’s desire for calm and peace after the war, but resulted in scandal. Why it Matters Now: The government must guard against scandal and corruption to merit public trust. Key Terms: Fordney-McCumber Tariff Ohio Gang Teapot Dome Scandal Key Names: Warren G. Harding Charles Evans Hughes Albert B. Fall

16. Warren G. Harding: • Warren G. Harding took the presidency in 1921. • The public wanted things to go back to “normal” • Harding provided words of peace and calm • His judgment was not that great though. (we’ll soon find out)

17. Harding Struggles For Peace: • After the war, countries around the world were hurting economically. • Harding decided to call the nations to meet in Washington D.C. to figure out what needed to be done. • Charles Evans Hughes (Sec. of State) – suggested that the five largest naval powers scrap their warships. (US, Great Britain, Japan, France, Italy) • They agreed to disarm (for now)

18. High Tariffs and Reparations: • France and Britain owed $10 billion to America for the war. • Germany owed France and Britain for the damages • In 1922, the US adopted the Fordney-McCumber Tariff – raised taxes on US imports to 60%! • American investors loaned Germany $2.5 billion to pay back France and Britain. (Dawes Plan) • Then France and Britain paid the US (with interest) • Follow this? – The US was making money on the financial problems of others. Charles Dawes

19. Harding’s Cabinet: • Harding surrounded himself with good people (Charles Evans Hughes, Herbert Hoover, Andrew Mellon) • He also had some not so good ones. • The Ohio Gang – The President’s poker playing cronies that liked to cheat/bribe others (including the tax payers) out of money.

20. The Teapot Dome Scandal: • The government owned oil-rich land in Teapot Dome, Wyoming. • Teapot Dome Scandal – Albert B. Fall (US Navy Secretary) leased the land to private oil companies in return for a “cut” of the action. • He received more than $400,000 in loans, bonds, and cash. • He became the first American to be convicted of a felony while holding a cabinet post.

21. Harding Dies: • “I have no trouble with my enemies…But my friends...they’re the ones that keep me walking the floor at night.” • On August 2, 1923, Harding died suddenly from either a heart attack or a stroke. • Calvin Coolidge assumed the presidency and the next year was elected.

22. Did we Meet our Objectives? • Can You? • 1. Contrast Harding’s policy of “normalcy” with progressive era reforms. • 2. Identify scandals that plagued the Harding Administration.

23. Section 3: Objectives • By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: • 1. Summarize the impact of the automobile and other consumer goods on American life. • 2. Explain how prosperity affected different groups of Americans. • 3. Explain in what ways the country’s prosperity was superficial.

24. American Industries Flourish: • Calvin Coolidge focused hard on improving the American business. • He aimed to keep taxes down and business profits up. • We wanted to keep the government influence (in business) to a minimum and allow private companies to flourish. • Wages (and productivity) started to rise because of new technology.

25. The Impact Of The Automobile: (Part1) • The automobile allowed rural families to travel to cities for shopping and entertainment. • Paved roads were created everywhere • Route 66 was created to connect Chicago with California. • Gasoline stations, repair shops, and shopping centers popped up all over the place

26. The Impact Of The Automobile: (Part12) • People moved further away from their jobs – urban sprawl • The automobile was considered a status symbol as well • About 1/5 people had a car • Automobile factories sprung up in places like Detroit and Akron.

27. The Young Airplane Industry: • The US Post Office started the first mail carrying service. (by plane) • The first cargo and commercial airlines also began during this time. • Passengers started enjoying the speed of being able to travel by air. ($$)

28. America’s Standard Of Living Soars: • 1920-1929 was a very prosperous time for America. • Americans owned around 40% of the world’s wealth. • The average American income rose more than 35% (from $522-$705) • People started spending there money freely.

29. Electrical Conveniences: • Gasoline powered most everything prior to this time period. • Now, electricity started to become much more efficient. • Electricity was able to be transmitted over long distances. • Privileged homes had electric irons, refrigerators, stoves, and toasters

30. A Superficial Prosperity: • During the 1920’s most Americans believed this prosperity would go on forever. • National income was up • Most companies were making a fortune • The Stock Market was reaching unprecedented levels

31. Producing Great Quantities Of Goods: • As productivity increased, businesses expanded. • Companies merged, chain stores opened, farms produced excess crops. • Problems: • 1. Excess crops drove food prices down • 2. A huge income gap was being created between managers and workers

32. Buying Goods On Credit: • Big companies allowed consumers to buy things without paying for them in full. • They borrowed money from the banks at very low interest rates. • Installment Plans – buying goods over an extended period , without having to put down much money at the time of purchase.

33. Parallel To Today: 1920 and 2005-2009 • Zero Down home buying / 0% financing • Home Equity loans • During both periods of time, consumers were borrowing at extremely high levels. • So, what happened? • That’s what we’ll find out next chapter.

34. Did We Meet Our Objectives? • Can You: • 1. Summarize the impact of the automobile and other consumer goods on American life. • 2. Explain how prosperity affected different groups of Americans. • 3. Explain in what ways the country’s prosperity was superficial.