The Twenties

Post-War America1919 – returning

veterans have difficulty finding work; US disillusioned in aftermath of the War

Most wanted to return to “normalcy”, rejected both internationalism and progressivism

Biggest problem:lack of jobs

The Red ScareA reaction against radical political and

economic movements; targeted political activists and union organizers

Ex: the International Workers of

the World (IWW)

The Red ScareCauses:

reaction to the Russian Revolution and communist movements in Europe

disillusionment after WW I

labor unrest; major strikes in 1919 and 1920

The Red ScareMeant to suppress “anti-American” groups

like the Socialists and other radical organizations

Meetings broken up

Leaders arrested

IWW Rally in New York

The Red ScareLed to rise of the nativist groups, particularly

the Ku Klux Klan

Highest membership

in their history

The Red ScareActs of terrorism: Sept., 1920 – bombs set

off on Wall Street, 38 people killed

The Red Scare“Palmer Raids” – round up of

radicals, led by Atty. Gen. A. Mitchell Palmer

Created FBI to monitor activities of those suspected of being “un-American”; directed by J. Edgar Hoover

The Red ScareAlso targeted immigrants

suspected of disloyalty or radical politics

Case of Sacco and Vanzetti (1921 – 1926)

Suspected radicals; arrested for murder, executed despite lack of evidence

Worldwide movement over their innocence

The Red ScareWhat ended the Red Scare:

creation of groups opposing government restrictions (American Civil Liberties Union)

return of economic prosperity

scandals in the Klan and other groups

ACLU founder Roger Baldwin Protest against Palmer Raids, NY, 1921

Prohibition!(what a great idea!)

Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

ProhibitionPassage of the Volstead Act led to illegal

manufacture of alcohol (“bootlegging”)

Government crackdown on booze

Attendance at Mass up 25%!

ProhibitionRise of the “speakeasy”

Miss Atwood

ProhibitionRise of organized crime; Al

Capone in Chicago

The Modern vs. the TraditionalTwo conflicting themes in the 20s: modern vs.

traditional values; coincided during the decadeEvangelist Billy Sunday

Mrs. Allard

The Modern vs. the TraditionalThe “Scopes Monkey Trial” – HS teacher John

Scopes arrested in TN for teaching evolution

Opposing attorneys Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan (again!)

The “Scopes Monkey Trial” - 1926Trial broadcast live on radio; highlight was

Darrow questioning Bryan as expert witness

Bryan

Darrow

Scopes found guilty, fined $100, forbidden to teach in TN again

Bryan considers return to politics but dies one week after end of trial

The “New Morality”

Emphasized fast living and materialism

less inhibited than before

More interested in fun (otherwise known as “sin”)

Modern Consumer Items

Bought mostly on credit; eventual problems

Growth of auto industry

Modern Consumer Items

Other popular items:

(to keep the little woman happy!)

The “Talkie”

First movie with sound:

The Jazz Singer with Al Jolson

Not exactly politically correct

Films

• Silent Films– Became popular in

1903– The Mark of Zorro

• “Talkies”– The Jazz Singer

• 1927• First talking movie

Dancing

• Dance Marathons– 1923– Extremely popular

• Swing Dancing– Charleston– Lindy Hop

Celebrities in the 1920sCharles Lindbergh and

the Spirit of St. Louis

First man to cross the Atlantic solo; 33 hours, no pee pee breaks

Mary Pickford

Red Grange

Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle

Rudolph Valentino

Lou Gehrig

Babe Ruth

Charlie Chaplin

Celebrities in the 20s

Politics Harding vs. Cox:

US rejects activist govt.; elects Harding in a landslide

Noteworthy:

Dem VP Franklin D. Roosevelt

Warren G. HardingFormer Ohio Senator and newspaper publisher;

represented a “return to normalcy” for many voters

Inactive president; liked to gamble, drink, and chase skirts; very popular with American people

The smokin’ hot Florence Harding

The Harding “Administration”Harding mainly a figurehead; govt. attempts

to roll back progressive reforms; a return to laissez-faire

Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon drops income tax to near zero and restores the Tariff to near record levels

(Fordney-McCumber)

Dropped anti-trust activity

Anti-labor

Foreign Policy of the 20sReturn to isolationism and beginning of arms

reductions with Europe

Washington Conference

led to arms limitations

Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) outlaws war as a foreign policy

The Harding “Administration”

Considered one of the most corrupt in history

Atty. Gen. Harry Daugherty tried for selling pardons; acquitted

Sec. of the Interior Albert Fall convicted for taking bribes from oil companies to drill on govt. land; called Teapot Dome

Biggest scandal of the 20s

Death of Harding (Aug. 23, 1923)

I have no trouble with my enemies. But my friends, they're the ones who keep me walking the floor at nights!

I don't know much about Americanism, but it's a damn good word with which to carry an election.

God, what a job!

Calvin CoolidgeMost inert president of all-time

Total opposite of Harding

Said little, did little

maintained status quo

1924 – lowest turnout ever

1928 – “I do not choose to run”; declines to run for another term

1928 Election

Herbert Hoover vs. Al Smith

Problems with the Smith candidacy: Yankee accent (first campaign on the radio)

a “wet” (anti- Prohibition)first Catholic candidate in history

1928 ElectionHoover wins; even some Southern states vote

Republican (first time since Reconstruction); biggest landslide yet