The Great Depression

Learning Targets

• I can define the Red Scare.• I can describe the effects of

Prohibition.• I can analyze the conflict

between urban and rural values in the 1920s.

The Red Scare

• Red Scare – the fear of communism• A Red Scare spread across the US

briefly in the 1920s.• Restricted freedom of speech– Could be imprisoned or deported for

political views–…even being suspected of having

certain views

• Made no distinction between communism and socialism or democratic socialism.

X-Axis Indicates Economic Views

ECONOMYCOMMUNISM CAPITALISM

Y-Axis Indicates Government Views

GOVE

RNMEN

T

TOTAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL

NO GOVERNMENT CONTROL

Communism vs. Capitalism

COMMUNISM

• Community ownership of the economy

• Controlled production allows all businesses to survive.

• No competition• No freedom to fail or

succeed (everyone in the middle)

• Moral obligation to help others from failing

CAPITALISM• No government

involvement in the economy

• Businesses can do anything they desire to succeed or get ahead.

• Competition in the market

• Freedom to fail or succeed

• No moral obligation to help others from failing

Prohibition

• Prohibition – made it illegal to sell, manufacture, or transport alcohol.

• Campaign for prohibition started in 1830s.

• Became official in 1920 with 18th amendment.

• The law was generally ignored.• Organized crime (gangsters,

mobsters) ran speakeasies throughout the country.– Speakeasy – a bar that secretly (and

illegally) had alcohol

Carrie Nation would destroy saloons and bottles of liquor with a hatchet.

Flappers tended to drink.

Before Prohibition, women weren’t allowed in saloons. During Prohibition, they were allowed in speakeasies.

Al Capone was the most famous mobster.

Line outside Al Capone’s soup kitchen

Chicago mob scene

Mayor of Chicago.

Promised to end police raids of speakeasies.

Al Capone contributed $250K to Thompson’s campaign.

Gangsters & Corruption

• Al Capone and others regularly bribed police and politicians.

• Eliot Ness was a famous Prohibition agent.– Had a law enforcement team

called The Untouchables because they

wouldn’t be bribed.

• Arrested Capone in 1931.

Urban Values vs. Rural Values

Urban Liberalism (in the city)• Supported women’s

rights• Supported civil rights

(some)• Against Prohibition• Supported

immigration (some)• Supported teaching

evolution in schools

Rural Conservatism (in the country)

• Against women’s rights

• Supported the KKK• Supported Prohibition• Against immigration• Against teaching

evolution in schools

Learning Targets

• I can define the Red Scare.• I can describe the effects of

Prohibition.• I can analyze the conflict between

urban and rural values in the 1920s.