Postwar Havoc Chapter 19 Section 1 From War to Peace Riddlebarger
Communism Economic and political system in which government owns the means of production and control economic planning
Socialism A system of social economic organization based on the common ownership of goods or state control of the economy
The First Red Scare Post-war brings great happiness but also new problems: Economic, political, medical Slowdown in demand hurts farms & factories Job loss results War brought out patriotic feeling but also ignited hatred in things seen as not American 100 Percent American I felt that when peace came we d all be so joyful that nothing would weigh upon us again. I find, however, the problems of reconstruction loom so large that we are as much occupied with them as we have been with problems of war. -Illinois Governor, Frank Lowden
The Rise of the Bolsheviks Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, take over Russia in 1917 Causes concern in America (and much of Europe) Russia re-named Soviet Union Lenin institutes a new social system- Communism Would have no economic classes and no private property Lenin believed all people should share equally in a society s wealth
American Reaction Many are frightened by communism In addition, Lenin called for the overthrow of capitalism He predicted workers of the world would rise up and overthrow capitalists American anxiety turns from the Hun (Germans) toward near fear: Reds Communists (and others who hold radical ideas) Communist Parties will form in the U.S. after the war Some promote violent overthrow of government Threat was likely never great but many felt otherwise
Red Scare A Red Scare grips the nation Widespread fear of communism Some blame newspapers for sensationalizing the notion The government takes the threat seriously Some states pass laws that will challenge constitutional rights in an effort to combat fears
Palmer Raids U.S. Attorney General, A. Mitchell Palmer is targeted by radicals in 1919. I believe we should place them in ships of stone, with sails of lead. - Leonard Wood, Republican candidate for President in 1920 He will become a key leader of government s anti-communist campaign Leads attacks on suspected radicals Many aliens (foreigners) were targeted and some are deported Eventually, our fears die down and there is less concern (but never completely goes away)
Who replaced the Hun as the object of American fear and hatred? Communists and others who held radical ideas; Reds
Labor Strife Grows 1919 will be one of the most explosive years in the American labor movement 3,000 strikes involve 4 million workers Labor (workers) lose nearly all
Postwar difficulties Workers had their expectations raised from Wilson s support of higher wages & less hours during the war After the war, the labor movement hopes to build on this. They will be disappointed Wilson s focus was on peace Drop in demand for goods after war Unhappy workers were often replaced Red Scare will have an impact, too. Opponents will link labor with radical ideas that were feared at the time
Labor s Losses Labor movement will be devastated by 1919 showdown Loss of membership and political power Seattle general strike Great Steel Strike Boston police strike It will be another decade before reputation, status & bargaining power is restored (Great Depression)
Limiting Immigration Competition for jobs, along with the Red Scare, triggers an ugly backlash against foreigners after the war Nativism Nativists (usually Protestant, and ancestry is Northern/Western Europe, will target new arrivals from Eastern and Southern Europe, many Catholic or Jew Seen as less willing to become Americanized Their willingness to work for low wages makes them a target by labor
Immigration Control Federal government responds to nativist fears 1921 Emergency Quota Act will establish a quota (an established number) for immigrants allowed in National Origins Act of 1924 sets quota at 2% based on number of people from that country already here Who does this favor??? Revival of the KKK in the 1920 s Hate group now expands its targeted groups (to Jews, Catholics, all radicals) KKK now isn t just a southern organization Native white, Protestant Supremacy
Sacco & Venzetti 1920 s court case will dramatically illustrate the struggle with nativist and radical feelings May 1920-2 men, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Venzetti, are arrested for robbery & murder Both are Italian immigrants Both are self-proclaimed anarchists (believe in no government & absolute freedom) Very weak evidence against them at their trial; appeared to be more on trial for their beliefs than actions Despite this, both are convicted and sentenced to die Executed in 1927 despite much protest here and abroad Historians still debate guilt or innocence of the two men
My conviction is that I have suffered for things I am guilty of. I am suffering because I am a radical, and indeed I am a radical; I have suffered because I was an Italian, and indeed I am an Italian. Bartolomeo Vanzetti in court, 1927
How did Congress respond to the growing concern about immigration? Congress passed laws that limited immigration, especially from southern and eastern Europe (and Asia)