INTOLERANCE AND SUSPICION
Essential Question: How do attitudes towards immigrants, blacks and other minorities reflect the intolerance of the decade? How does the nostalgia and attitudes from the past conflict with modern ideas of the decade?
Immigrants, blacks, and other minorities were not treated fairly like the majority of the people were. In the South, Jim Crow laws were still in place. The nostalgia was pretty lenient towards immigrants with few restrictions, as well as minorities. For example, the older generation was happy immigrants could take factory jobs no one else wanted. The modern ideas of the decade called for isolationism; after WWI, the U.S. did not want to be involved with other countries and their affairs. We did not want immigrants because of people like Sacco and Vanzetti, and we did not want any spread of communism from Germany or Russia. People were on high alert for "traitors" and some were even arrested. Quotas limited the number of immigrants to reduce future problems. The KKK targeted many of the groups already mentioned, including Jews and Catholics. People were hesitant when Al Smith, a Catholic, ran for president. Americans were for a "pure" society with only true Americans.
Immigrants, blacks, and other minorities were not treated fairly like the majority of the people were. In the South, Jim Crow laws were still in place. The nostalgia was pretty lenient towards immigrants with few restrictions, as well as minorities. For example, the older generation was happy immigrants could take factory jobs no one else wanted. The modern ideas of the decade called for isolationism; after WWI, the U.S. did not want to be involved with other countries and their affairs. We did not want immigrants because of people like Sacco and Vanzetti, and we did not want any spread of communism from Germany or Russia. People were on high alert for "traitors" and some were even arrested. Quotas limited the number of immigrants to reduce future problems. The KKK targeted many of the groups already mentioned, including Jews and Catholics. People were hesitant when Al Smith, a Catholic, ran for president. Americans were for a "pure" society with only true Americans.
What caused immigration restriction? How was immigration restricted? How strong was nativism?
Nativists and those who had special interests made immigration restriction possible. The Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 was a quota restricting the number of immigrants that could come to the U.S. because so many laborers were coming here for opportunities like railroad building, etc. The "Gentlemen's Agreement" made with Japan restricted the number of Asian immigrants that could come to the U.S. Nativism was extremely strong, and one example of this is the Sacco and Vanzetti Trial. The American Protective Association made scientific arguments for Asian and Eastern Europeans and used eugenics to prove they were inferior. They believed when these groups were "mixed" with Americans, the offspring was inferior. Much later, the Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924 were passed by Congress. The 1924 quota only allowed 165,000 immigrants, which was less than 20% than the number of people coming to the U.S. prior to WWI. Restrictions were placed on Europe, Scandinavia, some African countries, the Middle East, and some countries in the Pacific.
Nativists and those who had special interests made immigration restriction possible. The Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 was a quota restricting the number of immigrants that could come to the U.S. because so many laborers were coming here for opportunities like railroad building, etc. The "Gentlemen's Agreement" made with Japan restricted the number of Asian immigrants that could come to the U.S. Nativism was extremely strong, and one example of this is the Sacco and Vanzetti Trial. The American Protective Association made scientific arguments for Asian and Eastern Europeans and used eugenics to prove they were inferior. They believed when these groups were "mixed" with Americans, the offspring was inferior. Much later, the Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924 were passed by Congress. The 1924 quota only allowed 165,000 immigrants, which was less than 20% than the number of people coming to the U.S. prior to WWI. Restrictions were placed on Europe, Scandinavia, some African countries, the Middle East, and some countries in the Pacific.
Here is a clip about the rise of communism and fascism in the 1920s (you'll see why there was anti-foreign sentiment):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kW_L_Nbm38
What was the KKK? What did the Ku Klux Klan stand for? How did they show the intolerance of the decade?
The KKK, also known as the Ku Klux Klan, is a secret organization formed by southern whites in the late 1800's, and was active in the southern and other parts of the U.S. They targeted blacks, Catholics, Jews, the foreign-born, and anyone else they thought to be "un-American." They showed intolerance because they didn't accept these groups. (The name supposedly comes from the Greek word kuklos, which roughly means group). They were nativists, which means they didn't like immigrants or foreign-born in the U.S. During the 1920's, the KKK had a reawakening of strength and became more powerful than ever.
The KKK, also known as the Ku Klux Klan, is a secret organization formed by southern whites in the late 1800's, and was active in the southern and other parts of the U.S. They targeted blacks, Catholics, Jews, the foreign-born, and anyone else they thought to be "un-American." They showed intolerance because they didn't accept these groups. (The name supposedly comes from the Greek word kuklos, which roughly means group). They were nativists, which means they didn't like immigrants or foreign-born in the U.S. During the 1920's, the KKK had a reawakening of strength and became more powerful than ever.
Here is a PBS video about the KKK during the 1920's an a woman who found some old records from the time:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2256479334/
What were the Red Scare and the Palmer Raids? How does this fear add to the intolerance of the decade? How was the "Red Scare" and example of America's reluctance to be involved in world affairs?
The Red Scare was when Boston policemen went on strike and people panicked because there would not be anyone to enforce the law or keep the city safe. There was looting, vandalism, and rioting while they were on strike. Even though the strike was only in Boston, newspapers all around the country were writing about it. The Police Commissioner Curtis said the policemen were fired and "scabs" had to be hired to replace them. This fear adds to the intolerance of the decade because strikes led to a Communist revolution (there was fear of communism) and the policemen who went on strike were labeled "reds" because they were thought of as unpatriotic. People were aware of this and always kept their eyes peeled, so to speak. Furthermore, teachers were fired for being too left-sided (liberal). The American Legion was formed in attempt to keep law and order in the U.S.
After WWI, America had already been involved with fighting in Europe and was done dealing with conflict. They didn't want communism spreading from Germany or Russia.
The Palmer Raids were when the U.S. Department of Justice arrested and deported radical liberals, also known as leftists, from the U.S. during 1919-1920. Eventually, over 500 were deported. Anarchists were also arrested and were dangerous because they wanted to overthrow the government (anarchists don't want any government or formal rules of any kind). Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer stated "As a foe, the anarchist is fearless of his own life, for his creed is a fanaticism that admits no respect of any other creed. Obviously it is the creed of any criminal mind, which reasons always from motives impossible to clean thought. Crime is the degenerate factor in society." Palmer was the government worker and the main man in charge of overseeing the arrests of left-sided people and anarchists. Even Federal employees were tested to see if the were loyal to the government. Another important quote by Palmer that summarizes a main point of the Palmer Raids is "By stealing, murder and lies, Bolshevism has looted Russia not only of its material strength but of its moral force. A small clique of outcasts from the East Side of New York has attempted this, with what success we all know. Because a disreputable alien—Leon Bronstein, the man who now calls himself Trotzky—can inaugurate a reign of terror from his throne room in the Kremlin, because this lowest of all types known to New York can sleep in the Czar’s bed, while hundreds of thousands in Russia are without food or shelter, should Americans be swayed by such doctrines?"
The Red Scare was when Boston policemen went on strike and people panicked because there would not be anyone to enforce the law or keep the city safe. There was looting, vandalism, and rioting while they were on strike. Even though the strike was only in Boston, newspapers all around the country were writing about it. The Police Commissioner Curtis said the policemen were fired and "scabs" had to be hired to replace them. This fear adds to the intolerance of the decade because strikes led to a Communist revolution (there was fear of communism) and the policemen who went on strike were labeled "reds" because they were thought of as unpatriotic. People were aware of this and always kept their eyes peeled, so to speak. Furthermore, teachers were fired for being too left-sided (liberal). The American Legion was formed in attempt to keep law and order in the U.S.
After WWI, America had already been involved with fighting in Europe and was done dealing with conflict. They didn't want communism spreading from Germany or Russia.
The Palmer Raids were when the U.S. Department of Justice arrested and deported radical liberals, also known as leftists, from the U.S. during 1919-1920. Eventually, over 500 were deported. Anarchists were also arrested and were dangerous because they wanted to overthrow the government (anarchists don't want any government or formal rules of any kind). Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer stated "As a foe, the anarchist is fearless of his own life, for his creed is a fanaticism that admits no respect of any other creed. Obviously it is the creed of any criminal mind, which reasons always from motives impossible to clean thought. Crime is the degenerate factor in society." Palmer was the government worker and the main man in charge of overseeing the arrests of left-sided people and anarchists. Even Federal employees were tested to see if the were loyal to the government. Another important quote by Palmer that summarizes a main point of the Palmer Raids is "By stealing, murder and lies, Bolshevism has looted Russia not only of its material strength but of its moral force. A small clique of outcasts from the East Side of New York has attempted this, with what success we all know. Because a disreputable alien—Leon Bronstein, the man who now calls himself Trotzky—can inaugurate a reign of terror from his throne room in the Kremlin, because this lowest of all types known to New York can sleep in the Czar’s bed, while hundreds of thousands in Russia are without food or shelter, should Americans be swayed by such doctrines?"
What was the Sacco and Vanzetti Trial? Why was this an example of suspicion and intolerance?
The Sacco and Vanzetti case was about two Italian men, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. A police trap was set up and the paymaster and guard were carrying over $15,000; the two men standing by a fence pulled out guns and shot them. They were held, charged for the crimes, and arrested. Eventually they were sentenced to death. The trial was one of America's most well-known of the twentieth century. This is an example of intolerance because it showed that Italians brought trouble and violence to this country, and weren't productive citizens. However, if the conflict would have been between Americans, then nobody would've heard about it because it wouldn't have been a big deal. (Thinking like a historian- through their eyes). People were also intolerant because they supported an anarchist Italian journal called Cronaca Sovversiva.
The Sacco and Vanzetti case was about two Italian men, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. A police trap was set up and the paymaster and guard were carrying over $15,000; the two men standing by a fence pulled out guns and shot them. They were held, charged for the crimes, and arrested. Eventually they were sentenced to death. The trial was one of America's most well-known of the twentieth century. This is an example of intolerance because it showed that Italians brought trouble and violence to this country, and weren't productive citizens. However, if the conflict would have been between Americans, then nobody would've heard about it because it wouldn't have been a big deal. (Thinking like a historian- through their eyes). People were also intolerant because they supported an anarchist Italian journal called Cronaca Sovversiva.
Scopes Trial- fundamentalism/creationism vs. evolution. Why is this trial indicative of the conflict of old vs. new in the 1920's?
The Scopes Trial is indicative of the old vs. new conflict in the 1920's because many people in the older generation believed in fundamentalist religion, which means that the Bible is interpreted literally. They did not believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, which is a scientific theory of the origin of species of plants and animals. It includes scientific terms such as natural selection ("survival of the fittest") and genetic mutation (physical and behavioral changes). The older people believed in hard work, and resting by going to church on Sunday. However, some people in the younger generation did not believe that God created the world. They thought the gene pool of a population changed from generation to generation by such processes as mutation (new traits), natural selection, and genetic drift (the later "lucky" generations). In addition, one of the other main problems was weather or not evolution should be taught in schools (Hunter's 'Civic Biology' textbook was the one that John Scopes, the science teacher, used). Yet another issue was if laws should be passed, and who should pass them? The people or leaders in the town? Although Scopes lost, this trial is a good example of a turning point in history- would people believe that God created the world, or would they believe in evolution? (another creator). Eventually, only two states, Arkansas and Mississippi passed laws making it illegal to teach Darwin's theory (in that way you could say Scopes lost, too). Instead of being hesitant about teaching science and evolution in schools, schools are now apprehensive about teaching contraception and sex education. Just like back then, parents get all riled up if they hear something they don't approve of at their kid's school. (This is my "make a connection between the 1920's and today").
The Scopes Trial is indicative of the old vs. new conflict in the 1920's because many people in the older generation believed in fundamentalist religion, which means that the Bible is interpreted literally. They did not believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, which is a scientific theory of the origin of species of plants and animals. It includes scientific terms such as natural selection ("survival of the fittest") and genetic mutation (physical and behavioral changes). The older people believed in hard work, and resting by going to church on Sunday. However, some people in the younger generation did not believe that God created the world. They thought the gene pool of a population changed from generation to generation by such processes as mutation (new traits), natural selection, and genetic drift (the later "lucky" generations). In addition, one of the other main problems was weather or not evolution should be taught in schools (Hunter's 'Civic Biology' textbook was the one that John Scopes, the science teacher, used). Yet another issue was if laws should be passed, and who should pass them? The people or leaders in the town? Although Scopes lost, this trial is a good example of a turning point in history- would people believe that God created the world, or would they believe in evolution? (another creator). Eventually, only two states, Arkansas and Mississippi passed laws making it illegal to teach Darwin's theory (in that way you could say Scopes lost, too). Instead of being hesitant about teaching science and evolution in schools, schools are now apprehensive about teaching contraception and sex education. Just like back then, parents get all riled up if they hear something they don't approve of at their kid's school. (This is my "make a connection between the 1920's and today").
Vocabulary:
Immigrant- person who moves to another country, usually to permanently settle in that location.
Anarchist- person who believes there should be no formal, coercive government and wants no rules of any type.
Communism- a theory or system in which all property is owned in common, often by a state and a single political party.
Race- a group of people or a population related by common descent or heredity, usually based on physical characteristics.
Bolsheviks- members of the more radical majority of the Social Democratic Party, who wanted immediate and forceful loss of power by the public or the masses.
Fundamentalism- an American religious movement that started in the 20th century, which stresses strict adherence to the bible, specifically in morals and faith. The bible was seen as the truth and was a reliable source for people to turn to.
Evolution- a belief that the characteristics of a people change from generation to generation by genetic mutation, natural selection, etc.; this term is often associated with Charles Darwin.
Quota- when a country limits the number of immigrants that can come to their state, sometimes specifying a particular group of people or a country.
Immigrant- person who moves to another country, usually to permanently settle in that location.
Anarchist- person who believes there should be no formal, coercive government and wants no rules of any type.
Communism- a theory or system in which all property is owned in common, often by a state and a single political party.
Race- a group of people or a population related by common descent or heredity, usually based on physical characteristics.
Bolsheviks- members of the more radical majority of the Social Democratic Party, who wanted immediate and forceful loss of power by the public or the masses.
Fundamentalism- an American religious movement that started in the 20th century, which stresses strict adherence to the bible, specifically in morals and faith. The bible was seen as the truth and was a reliable source for people to turn to.
Evolution- a belief that the characteristics of a people change from generation to generation by genetic mutation, natural selection, etc.; this term is often associated with Charles Darwin.
Quota- when a country limits the number of immigrants that can come to their state, sometimes specifying a particular group of people or a country.
PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS
Here is the link for the article: http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/friends_and_alies_of_KKK
AUTHOR- The Literary Digest published this article.
PLACE AND TIME- The general place is the southern United States, and some specific states named are Alabama and Louisiana, as well as New York where the State Legislature is (they were going to pass a bill saying KKK member's names have to be published). The Literary Digest was written in the Northern U.S., and the intended audience was the country as a whole. I don't think the North had a hugely differing viewpoint on the KKK. The time is January 20, 1923.
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE- I already know that the KKK experienced a huge resurgence in power in the 1920's.
AUDIENCE- The audience for this article is pretty big; a lot of people would've been interested in the KKK because of their violence and how many groups they targeted (like blacks, Jews, Catholics, and non-natives).
REASON- This article was published to inform the people of the society they're living in and what's happening around them that could affect their lives. Both sides are showed because some say they're committing horrible crimes, while others say they're trying to save America and preserve its pristineness.
THE MAIN IDEA- Although the KKK had been charged (but not proved) with several crimes and misdemeanors, they were still an influential group (and a secret society) in the 1920's. According to one man "They have burned, killed, defamed, blackmailed, and ruined their enemies by the hundreds."
SIGNIFICANCE- In today's society, we're lucky there isn't a group like the KKK. They supposedly interfered with U.S. mail and wanted to set up their own "super-government," which is seen as dangerous because no one knows how powerful they may become. Although the statement "The Klan is as absolutely American as chewing-gum..." may be exaggerating, it was still scary to read. Today, we worry more about terrorist groups and other shocking things like mall or school shootings.
PLACE AND TIME- The general place is the southern United States, and some specific states named are Alabama and Louisiana, as well as New York where the State Legislature is (they were going to pass a bill saying KKK member's names have to be published). The Literary Digest was written in the Northern U.S., and the intended audience was the country as a whole. I don't think the North had a hugely differing viewpoint on the KKK. The time is January 20, 1923.
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE- I already know that the KKK experienced a huge resurgence in power in the 1920's.
AUDIENCE- The audience for this article is pretty big; a lot of people would've been interested in the KKK because of their violence and how many groups they targeted (like blacks, Jews, Catholics, and non-natives).
REASON- This article was published to inform the people of the society they're living in and what's happening around them that could affect their lives. Both sides are showed because some say they're committing horrible crimes, while others say they're trying to save America and preserve its pristineness.
THE MAIN IDEA- Although the KKK had been charged (but not proved) with several crimes and misdemeanors, they were still an influential group (and a secret society) in the 1920's. According to one man "They have burned, killed, defamed, blackmailed, and ruined their enemies by the hundreds."
SIGNIFICANCE- In today's society, we're lucky there isn't a group like the KKK. They supposedly interfered with U.S. mail and wanted to set up their own "super-government," which is seen as dangerous because no one knows how powerful they may become. Although the statement "The Klan is as absolutely American as chewing-gum..." may be exaggerating, it was still scary to read. Today, we worry more about terrorist groups and other shocking things like mall or school shootings.