1920s

I. ANXIETY. Changes in US Society after WWI fuel intolerance, FEAR, and division in America. A. Immigration becomes seen a major problem by some groups in the US. The federal gov’t responds to this pressure by changing immigration laws.

New Immigration Laws1.Certain groups are allowed legal access to the

US (England), others are denied (Italy, Asia, etc)

a. Immigration Acts of 1921, 24, and 27b. 1921 – based numbers on 1910 to limit E

European immigration; 3%c. 1924 – based numbers on 1890; 2%d. 1927 National Origins Act – limit of 150,000 Europeans a year; 60% from England and Germany; 4% Italye. New laws opened Mexican immigration; allowed blacks to move northf. Cut off supply of cheap workers

FEAR2. Our distrust/fear of certain immigrant

groups is evident in…a. The Sacco-Vanzetti Case (1921). 2 Italian immigrant radicals are executed for a robbery on very weak evidence. Many around the world condemn the US for it.

b. The Red Scare. Russian Revolution fuels fear of radicals/communists/subversives in US And a series of bombings and killing spur the Wilson admin. to act. aggressively

FEAR- The Palmer Raids: Attorney

General Palmer aggressively pursues suspected Communists. 100’s are harassed/arrested/deported. Many are immigrants

- Social reform groups who helped immigrants are easily labeled as “subversive” (Jane Adams’s Hull House, for ex). Little evidence was needed

RELIGIONB. A religious boom hits America. A

combination of “old-time fundamental Christianity” and modern communication systems like radio to reaches millions of enthusiastic worshipers

1. A key theme is that by becoming modern, the nation has lost its moral God-like waya. The Scopes Trial: A conflict between Fundamentalism and Modern Secular USAover the issue of Evolution..

SCOPES MONKET TRIALPLAYERS:

◦ John T. Scopes◦TN law◦Clarence Darrow◦William Jennings Bryan

b. Major religious figures emerge to dominate the era. Sister Aimee McPherson, Billy Sunday. They will have huge followings nationwide.

RISE of KKK

C. Feelings of Intolerance between groups dominates the 1920’s. Politics, religion, and the media support/feed off of it.

1. Extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan re-emerge, feeding off of the public’s fears. They are anti-black, Jew, Catholic, immigrant. At peak in mid 1920’s it has millions of members

AFFLUENCEII. AFFLUENCE: The Prospering Economy: new

technology revolutionizes the quality of life for most

A. Electrification: 1902: 2% of US industry uses elect. By 1929, 80% does. It revolutionizes daily life.1. In the home: Appliances like washers, vacuums, toasters, lights. etc. This improves the lives of women: ex. more leisure time

2. In the workplace, electric power improves efficiency and production, allows for increase in

working hours (possible 24 hr/day production!)

AFFLUENCEB. Automobiles: The car becomes a fixture

of the rapidly growing Middle Class in the post war era. 1. Ford’s advanced production techniques drop the price of new cars to $290 (Model T) These techniques did cause worker unrest. Ford is not sympathetic

2. Cars transform the nation. More travel, freedom, less isolation. Road systems explode

AFFLUENCEC. Communication advances links us into a national culture and

breaks down isolation of rural USA1. Telephones: by end of 1920’s 13 million in the US. Phones in the home become common

2. Radio provides our first truly national common media. 1st stations by 1920.

a. “Networks” of stations provide national programming. The US culture homogenizes. Shows are similar to TV fare today. Radio also provides 1st instant news coverage

3. Movies attract 100 million a week by end of 1920’s. The Hollywood “star” culture emerges.a. Sound movies (The Jazz Singer 1927) & air conditioned “Movies Palaces” attract many. b. “Newsreels” shown between movies give Americans visual news from around the world. Politicians notice their persuasive power.

CULTUREIII. American Culture of the 1920’s. Social changes

(I) + technology (II) = rapid cultural changesA. The national media (papers, radio, newsreels)

impact the views/attitudes of the US public. 1. The consumer culture explodes as 1920’s Americans become aggressive buyers. Motivated by advertising, easy credit deals, and materialism. 2. The “Roaring ‘20s” sees a public fascination with hero/celebrities. Figures like Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey become popular national icons.

CULTUREB. National Prohibition will be a continuing

theme of the decade. The US is “dry”. (in theory!)

1. The Volstead Act enacts the prohibition of Alcohol mandated by the 18th Amendment.

2. Consumption does decline, however organized crime and general disregard for the law doom the “Noble Experiment” by the end of the 1920’s.

CULTUREC. African-American Culture: prosperity

of the decade changes black culture (+ and -)

1. During the war a huge migration of Blacks occurs from the south to northern cities.

a. This disrupts the existing enclave style neighborhoods of many cities. Most blacks are forced to live in slums

segregated from whites. Race riots occur as contact stirs conflict

CULTURE2. Despite the discrimination, a strong sense

of Black cultural identity emerges in the cities. a. Marcus Garvey’s “Back-to Africa” campaign ultimately fails, but Garvey is successful in organizing Black Americans to a common cause. ◦Admired Booker T. Washington◦UNIA - United Negro Improvement Association◦Black Star Line◦Arrested of fraud to shareholders and sentenced

to 5 years; deported as an undesirable alien and left in 1927

CULTUREb. The Harlem Renaissance. Black culture

explodes in major cities, especially New York neighborhood of Harlem. An urban Black middle class begins to emerge/grow.

1. Writers (Langston Hughes, Claude McKay) wrote of the Black experience.

2. Musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington help create “Jazz”. It becomes one of America’s greatest contributions to world musical culture

CULTURE3. The impact of this new black culture (especially

Jazz) on the US is significant in the era

a. The popularity of Jazz helps bridge the gap between the races. Whites flock to nightclubs in Harlem (The Cotton Club) to hear Jazz…although the clubs are only for whites!.

b. The Jazz-dance craze “The Charleston” explodes in young American culture. Youth are more prone to accepting change in race relations.

CULTURED. Women: see dynamic changes in some roles, but

other things stay the same. 1. Winning the vote in 1920 (19th Amendment).

Millions of women enter the voting rolls for the 1st time, but gender change in elected leadership will be slow….many men resist the concept.

2. Middle class increases in size, but family size will continue to decline. More women work outside of the home, and more have free time for education

3. The “Flapper” symbolized the 1920’s young woman: Free, independent, smokes, drinks, flirts; an image popular in the media, but not true for most 1920’s women.

CULTURE

E. Lost Generation: Writers who became disillusioned with the materialism and conformity of the 20s; Sometimes began with disillusionment of the war

1. Writers: Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, William Faulkner,

2. Poets – e.e. Cummings, T.S. Eliot3. Plays – Eugene O’Neill

Presidents of 20s

IV. Domestic Political Policy of the 1920’s. Republicans - support: limited gov’t regulation, pro-big-business, anti-labor. Prosperity is here…why change?

Harding A. Warren G. Harding’s term (1920-23). He does little,

and major policy decisions are left to others1. This popular president’s term will see major scandals affect the federal gov’t. Most come to light after his death in 1923a. Harry Daugherty took bribes – prohibitionB. Albert Fall – Teapot Dome (WY) released oil for navy for profitC. Charles Forbes pocketed large amounts meant for hospitals

2. Andrew Mellon was positive force; rolled back taxes on income and inheritance, and corporate profits

3. Fordney-McCumber Act – raised tariff to all time high

COOLIDGEB. Calvin Coolidge (1923-28). Like Harding, he

is not aggressive in policy. 1. Coolidge’s popularity soars as the economy takes off by the mid 1920’s. 2. Dawes Plan – 1924

a. Europe is hurting to repay U.S.; do not feel they should have to, feel should be American contribution to victory

b. American markets were sealed with tariff

c. repay with reparations from Germany - $2.6 billion to Germany to pay back

Europe to pay back U.S.

HOOVER

C. Herbert Hoover (1928-1932). He is an internationally renowned statesman. He vows to even expand the prosperity of the 1920’s to all people. ‘A chicken in every pot, a car in every garage”

1. Hoover will maintain the policy of allowing Big Business a free and unfettered economy.

FOREIGN POLICYV. Foreign Policy of 1920’s. Isolationism

A. One exception: 1921. Washington Conference: the first world disarmament treaty. Nations agree to reduce the number of costly battleships their navies. It’s not totally successful, but a start. 1. 5:5:3 ratio Great Britain, U.S., Japan; France, Italy 1/3 U.S. 2. Build new if scrap old to keep ratio

3. Kellogg-Briand Pact – 15 nations signed 1927 to renounce war, settle disputes using peaceful

means  

FOREIGN POLICY

B. The US continues “Big Stick” style policies in Latin America, resentment continues. But Hoover starts Good Neighbor Policy during his term….trying to improve our standing with Lat. America1. Nicaragua 2. Mexico – our economic investments were in jeopardy,