Chapter 25, Section 4:A Nation DividedMain Idea: In spite of the Main Idea: In spite of the

prosperity of the 1920s, the prosperity of the 1920s, the nation was divided nation was divided

between rich and poor, between rich and poor, native-born and immigrant, native-born and immigrant,

and black and white.and black and white.

A. The Perils of Prosperity Many Americans did not benefit from the economic

boom of the 1920s.

Trouble on the FarmTrouble on the Farm During WWI, Europeans bought American farm goods During WWI, Europeans bought American farm goods

This drove prices up & caused farmers to borrow a lot of This drove prices up & caused farmers to borrow a lot of money to buy more land & equipment.money to buy more land & equipment.

The end of WWI caused a sharp drop in farm prices The end of WWI caused a sharp drop in farm prices This caused many farmers to fall in deep debt & go bankrupt.This caused many farmers to fall in deep debt & go bankrupt.

Setbacks for LaborSetbacks for Labor Labor unions expected better treatment after “stepping Labor unions expected better treatment after “stepping

up” during WWI, but didn’t get it (wanted more $).up” during WWI, but didn’t get it (wanted more $). They felt betrayed that government didn’t step in to help them.They felt betrayed that government didn’t step in to help them.

Government support & public opinion turned against Government support & public opinion turned against unions due to numerous strikes (seen as “un-American)unions due to numerous strikes (seen as “un-American) Rights of unions were limited by the courts (judges), too.Rights of unions were limited by the courts (judges), too. Company unions – unions controlled by management.Company unions – unions controlled by management.

The Other Half: Farmers

Europeans needed food.

They bought U.S. farm products.

U.S. farm prices increased.

U.S. farmers borrowed money to buy more land and supplies.

During World War I: After World War I:

Europeans began to produce their own food again.

The demand for U.S. farm products decreased.

U.S. farm prices decreased.

Farmers could not repay their debts.

B. The Red Scare During WWI, Americans had been on high alert for During WWI, Americans had been on high alert for enemy spies. This led to a fear of foreigners after the enemy spies. This led to a fear of foreigners after the war. The rise of communism in the Soviet Union war. The rise of communism in the Soviet Union further increased these fears (Lenin – worker further increased these fears (Lenin – worker revolts).revolts).

Hunting Up RadicalsHunting Up Radicals AnarchistsAnarchists were people who opposed were people who opposed

organized government (often violently).organized government (often violently). Many were foreign born, leading to an outcry Many were foreign born, leading to an outcry

against all foreigners in the US.against all foreigners in the US. Red Scare Red Scare - fear of Communists (Reds) - fear of Communists (Reds)

“taking over” America from within.“taking over” America from within. Thousands of radicals were arrested and jailed. Thousands of radicals were arrested and jailed. Palmer Raids = deportations (expelled from US)Palmer Raids = deportations (expelled from US)

Sacco and VanzettiSacco and Vanzetti Trial that symbolized nativism in the 1920s. that symbolized nativism in the 1920s.

2 Italian immigrants (known anarchists) were 2 Italian immigrants (known anarchists) were convicted of murder & executed (6 years later) convicted of murder & executed (6 years later) with little evidence and a prejudiced judge. with little evidence and a prejudiced judge.

Many thought they were convicted because they Many thought they were convicted because they were immigrants and radicals, not from guilt.were immigrants and radicals, not from guilt.

““RedRed Scare” – Palmer Scare” – Palmer RaidsRaids““RedRed Scare” – Palmer Scare” – Palmer RaidsRaids

C. Limiting Immigration Nativism – anti-foreigner feelings in USNativism – anti-foreigner feelings in US

The Quota SystemThe Quota System After WWI, American workers feared new After WWI, American workers feared new

immigrants would force wages down. Others immigrants would force wages down. Others feared spread of communism & anarchy.feared spread of communism & anarchy.

The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 limited the The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 limited the number of immigrants from each country number of immigrants from each country allowed to enter the U.S. (very racist policy)allowed to enter the U.S. (very racist policy) Only 3% of any group already in the US as of 1910 Only 3% of any group already in the US as of 1910

would be admitted. This system heavily favored would be admitted. This system heavily favored Northern European nations (especially Britain). Northern European nations (especially Britain).

In 1924, immigration from Eastern Europe was In 1924, immigration from Eastern Europe was further reduced (they produced the most further reduced (they produced the most anarchists & Communists) & banned Japanese.anarchists & Communists) & banned Japanese.

Newcomers From Latin AmericaNewcomers From Latin America Mexicans poured into US (not part of quota system).Mexicans poured into US (not part of quota system). Jones Act (1917) – granted US citizenship to Puerto Jones Act (1917) – granted US citizenship to Puerto

Ricans. Over 50 thousand came to NYC for a better life.Ricans. Over 50 thousand came to NYC for a better life.

Northern & Western Europe

Eastern & Southern Europe

Other Countries

Country Quota Country Quota Country Quota

Germany 51,227 Poland 5,982 Africa 1,100

Great Britain 34,007 Italy 3,845 Armenia 124

Ireland 28,567 Czech. 3,073 Australia 121

Total # 142,483 Total # 18,439 Total # 3,745

Total 86.5% Total 11.2% Total 2.3%

Closing the Golden Door: Immigration Quotas, 1925–1927

D. The Scopes Trial John Scopes, a biology teacher in John Scopes, a biology teacher in

Dayton, TN, was arrested in 1925 for Dayton, TN, was arrested in 1925 for teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to his students evolution to his students This was illegal in Tennessee (& other This was illegal in Tennessee (& other

states) because it contradicted the Bible.states) because it contradicted the Bible. The trial attracted national attention The trial attracted national attention

because two of the nation’s leading because two of the nation’s leading minds squared off against each other.minds squared off against each other. William Jennings Bryan – prosecutionWilliam Jennings Bryan – prosecution

Argued on behalf of religionArgued on behalf of religion Clarence Darrow – defenseClarence Darrow – defense

Argued on behalf of science Argued on behalf of science In the end, despite Darrow’s best In the end, despite Darrow’s best

efforts, Scopes is convicted and fined.efforts, Scopes is convicted and fined. Many felt Darrow out-debated Bryan.Many felt Darrow out-debated Bryan. Many states still have anti-evolution laws Many states still have anti-evolution laws

in place, but they are rarely enforced.in place, but they are rarely enforced.

· John Scopes, a Tennessee teacher, taught his students about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in violation of state law.

The Scopes Trial

John Scopes

Evolution vs. Creationism Science vs. Religion

· During his trial, attorney Clarence Darrow defended Scopes and William Jennings Bryan represented the state.

Clarence Darrow (left) and William Jennings Bryan (right) during the Scopes trial in 1925. Famous Lawyers

· Scopes was convicted and fined, and the law against teaching the theory of evolution

remained.

Dayton teacher John Scopes, seen here during sentencing, was fined $100.

E. The New Klan The KKK was resurrected in 1915 in GA.The KKK was resurrected in 1915 in GA. During the 20s they widened their aim to include all During the 20s they widened their aim to include all

minorities & immigrants minorities & immigrants (mainly Catholics & Jews).(mainly Catholics & Jews). After the CW, they targeted only African-Americans, After the CW, they targeted only African-Americans,

mainly to keep them from voting.mainly to keep them from voting. Now, they want to “protect” the U.S. for WASPs.Now, they want to “protect” the U.S. for WASPs.

They used cross burnings, whippings, & They used cross burnings, whippings, & lynchings to intimidate & terrorize targets.lynchings to intimidate & terrorize targets.

Membership peaked in the mid-20s, but then Membership peaked in the mid-20s, but then dropped sharply due to scandals by their leaders.dropped sharply due to scandals by their leaders.

Racial Tensions in the NorthRacial Tensions in the North Following WWI, African-Americans continued to Following WWI, African-Americans continued to

face segregation in the South & racism in the North. face segregation in the South & racism in the North. Many moved to northern cities during & after WWI Many moved to northern cities during & after WWI

for factory jobs, but were met with discrimination & for factory jobs, but were met with discrimination & resentment from white workers.This led to race riots.resentment from white workers.This led to race riots.

Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey Organized the Universal Negro Improvement Assoc.Organized the Universal Negro Improvement Assoc. His “Back to Africa” movement built racial pride.His “Back to Africa” movement built racial pride.

Urged blacks to seek their roots in Africa (few did, though).Urged blacks to seek their roots in Africa (few did, though).

· The goals of the resurrected Ku Klux Klan were to preserve the U.S. for white native-born Protestants.

The New Klan

Ku Klux Klan members parading along Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C., 1925

The Ku Klux Klan reached its greatest strength in the 1920’s, with a membership of over three million people.

The Ku Klux Klan Great increase

In power

Anti-blackAnti-immigrant

Anti-women’s suffrage

Anti-bootleggers

Anti-SemiticAnti-Catholic

· Many African-Americans moved north during and after World War I in search of factory jobs.

Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series

Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey formed the Universal Negro Improvement Association and promoted pride and unity among African-Americans.

F. Election of 1928 Herbert Hoover (R) vs. Herbert Hoover (R) vs.

Alfred E. Smith (D)Alfred E. Smith (D) Hoover (former Secretary of Hoover (former Secretary of

Commerce) was supported Commerce) was supported mostly by rural Americans, mostly by rural Americans, big business, & those who big business, & those who supported Prohibition. supported Prohibition.

Smith (former governor of Smith (former governor of NY) was supported mostly by NY) was supported mostly by city dwellers, immigrants, & city dwellers, immigrants, & Catholics (he was the first Catholics (he was the first Catholic to run for President).Catholic to run for President).

Hoover won in a landslide, Hoover won in a landslide, even though Smith won the even though Smith won the 12 largest cities.12 largest cities. Americans wanted to keep the Americans wanted to keep the

good times rolling with the good times rolling with the Republicans (previous 8 yrs.)Republicans (previous 8 yrs.)

Hoover’s joy will be short Hoover’s joy will be short lived, however, when the lived, however, when the economy crashes w/in a year.economy crashes w/in a year.

The Election of 1928

Democratic candidate: Alfred E. Smith, former governor of New York

Republican candidate: Herbert Hoover, a Midwesterner

Alfred E. Smith, the first Catholic to run for President, received support among

Catholics and city dwellers.Herbert Hoover received support mostly

from Protestants & small-town voters.