A Brief A Brief Introduction to Introduction to 1920s American 1920s American

PoliticsPolitics

A Brief Intro to 1920s A Brief Intro to 1920s PoliticsPolitics

Warren G. Harding was elected asWarren G. Harding was elected asPresident in 1920 President in 1920

He is remembered for the variety He is remembered for the variety inin

the quality of his cabinet ministers. the quality of his cabinet ministers.

For example, there were cases ofFor example, there were cases ofcorruption such as in the Teapotcorruption such as in the TeapotDome Scandal where the SecretaryDome Scandal where the Secretaryof Interior Albert Fall, took bribesof Interior Albert Fall, took bribesfrom the oil industry.from the oil industry.

                                             

In 1924 In 1924 Calvin CoolidgeCalvin Coolidgebecame presidentbecame president

““Cool Cal” or “Silent Cal” Cool Cal” or “Silent Cal” rarely rarely

spoke and let the businesses spoke and let the businesses inin

America do what they wanted.America do what they wanted.Coolidge’s motto was “theCoolidge’s motto was “thebusiness of America is business of America is

business”. business”.

During Coolidge’s presidencyDuring Coolidge’s presidencythe nation experiencedthe nation experiencedprosperous times.prosperous times.

There was a good deal of intolerance to immigrants There was a good deal of intolerance to immigrants interesting giveninteresting given

that it is by definition a nation made up of immigrants!)that it is by definition a nation made up of immigrants!)

For example, the For example, the Sacco and Vanzetti CaseSacco and Vanzetti Case

On May 5, 1920 two Italian immigrants (Nicola Sacco and On May 5, 1920 two Italian immigrants (Nicola Sacco and BartolemeoBartolemeo

Vanzetti) were arrested for the murder of two individuals.Vanzetti) were arrested for the murder of two individuals.Since Sacco and Vanzetti were immigrants and anarchists Since Sacco and Vanzetti were immigrants and anarchists

they werethey weresentenced to death with little evidence. This trial showed sentenced to death with little evidence. This trial showed

America’sAmerica’sresentment towards both immigrants (Nativism) and resentment towards both immigrants (Nativism) and

anarchists /anarchists /

communists.communists.

ImmigrationImmigration

A more liberal attitude in some areas of society led toA more liberal attitude in some areas of society led to

a challenging of Conservative orthodoxy. For example,a challenging of Conservative orthodoxy. For example,

Women who felt liberated by the women’sWomen who felt liberated by the women’s

suffrage (voting) movement. suffrage (voting) movement.

These women began to wear dresses that came to These women began to wear dresses that came to theirtheir

knees and participated in social and political events. knees and participated in social and political events. TheThe

women who adopted this more “boyish” look werewomen who adopted this more “boyish” look were

known as Flappers.known as Flappers.

Dance and Music also became freer and more lively Dance and Music also became freer and more lively

in a reflection of the liberalising of society.in a reflection of the liberalising of society.

Conservatism v Liberalism

The The Scopes Trial (Monkey Trial)Scopes Trial (Monkey Trial)

In 1925, John T. Scopes (a high In 1925, John T. Scopes (a high schoolschool

biology teacher) was put on trial for biology teacher) was put on trial for teachingteaching

evolution. evolution.

The debate was supposed to be over The debate was supposed to be over aa

teacher’s right to choose what to teacher’s right to choose what to teach, butteach, but

turned into what scientific theory turned into what scientific theory was right:was right:

Evolutionism or Creationism.Evolutionism or Creationism.

Evolutionism vs. Evolutionism vs. CreationismCreationism

On January 16, 1920)- TheOn January 16, 1920)- The

1818thth amendment to the amendment to the

constitution constitution

Prohibiting the sale, Prohibiting the sale,

manufacture and manufacture and transportationtransportation

of liquor was passed . of liquor was passed .

In 1933, the 21In 1933, the 21stst amendment amendment

repealed the prohibition ofrepealed the prohibition of

alcohol.alcohol.

ProhibitionProhibition

Prohibition was a failure becauseProhibition was a failure becausepeople refused to comply with thepeople refused to comply with thenew law. new law.

People would go to SpeakeasiesPeople would go to Speakeasiesto buy alcohol. and Prohibitionto buy alcohol. and Prohibitionhelped create the Mafia andhelped create the Mafia andbrought Al Capone to brought Al Capone to

prominence. prominence.

Capone was eventually convicted Capone was eventually convicted ofof

tax evasion and sent to Alcatraz. tax evasion and sent to Alcatraz.

ProhibitionProhibition

On 26 August 1920On 26 August 1920

Congress and 37 Congress and 37 states gavestates gave

women the right to women the right to vote. vote.

This campaign was This campaign was led byled by

Carrie Chapman Carrie Chapman Catt.Catt.

Women’s SuffageWomen’s Suffage

Race and the rights of the AfricanRace and the rights of the African

American have been a political American have been a political issueissue

throughout American history. throughout American history. ThereThere

were some significant leaders of were some significant leaders of Black politics in the 1920sBlack politics in the 1920s

W.E.B. Du Bois helped start theW.E.B. Du Bois helped start the

N.A.A.C.P. (National AssociationN.A.A.C.P. (National Association

for the Advancement of Coloredfor the Advancement of Colored

People). This organization People). This organization protestedprotested

the “shameful treatment of thethe “shameful treatment of the

African-Americans”.African-Americans”.

The Politics of Colour

Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey beganbegan

the Universal Negro the Universal Negro ImprovementImprovement

Association. Garvey expressed Association. Garvey expressed twotwo

main views:main views:

1. Black people should go back to1. Black people should go back to

Africa Africa

2. “Black is beautiful”.2. “Black is beautiful”.

The Politics of Colour cont.

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