The Roaring 20 s Political Social

The Roaring ’ 20 s Political & Social History

Post War Economy l Wartime l People shortages had forced savings now wanted to buy cars, appliances, etc. l Production l Factories l Result l 1919 had to switch “from guns to butter” was inflation prices rose by 77%, 1920 by another 28% l Agreement l 1919 could not keep up with demand to not strike during war ended – 3, 600 strikes for better wages/ conditions l Boston police, steel workers, coal miners

The Red Scare, 1919 -1920 l Panic over socialism & communism in the US l Response to Bolshevik Revolution in Russia l Number of strikes added to fears l Terrorist l 36 activities on the rise (anarchists) Mail bombs to business & political leaders l Palmer Raids – thousands arrested in 33 cities – often no warrants, denied lawyers l American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) created to protect rights of the Constitution

Sacco & Vanzetti l Nicola Sacco & Bartolomeo Vanzetti – Italians l Accused of murdering paymaster & a guard l Robbery of payroll near Boston, 1920 l Both were known anarchists l Judge basically said that made them guilty l Otherwise little evidence against them l Found guilty & sentenced to death l Appeals process brought Internat’l attention l Sinclair’s l Executed book “Boston” questioned case too by electric chair in 1927

Election of 1920 l Dem – James M. Cox – Governor of Ohio l VP – Franklin D. Roosevelt (Asst Sec of Navy) l Supported League of Nations & progressive ideas about gov’t regulations l Rep – Warren G. Harding – Senator of Ohio l VP – Calvin Coolidge (Massachusetts Governor) l Isolationist & against gov’t involvement l Campaigned from his front porch – small townlike, promised “normalcy” l Harding won by a landslide

The Roaring Twenties Political History

Return to Laissez faire l Sec of Treasury – Andrew Mellon (6 th richest) l To spur economic growth – cut industry taxes l Created Bureau of the Budget – Charles Dawes, head who cut gov’t expenses by 1/3 in 1 st year l Record surpluses, applied to national debt l Revenue Act, 1921 – eliminated war time taxes on businesses l Fordney-Mc. Cumber Tariff – set much higher rates & President allowed to raise protective rates, when necessary

American Plan l Policy used by employers to break labor unions in the 1920 s l Declared demand that workers had to join unions was “un-American” l Refused to work with Unions “to protect the employee” l Fired troublemakers / strikers l Formed company unions with no say l Sometimes l Harding offered higher wages / benefits actually pardoned labor leaders – including Eugene V. Debs

Harding tarnished by scandals l Ohio Gang – Harding’s close political friends appointed to top positions l Actually very corrupt group of friends l Selling favors l Jess Smith committed suicide l Charles l Took $200 million – fled to Europe before jail l Harding l Got R. Forbes – Veterans’ Bureau left for Alaska – drained by news sick & died in San Francisco Aug 2, 1923

Worst ones after Harding’s death l Attorney General Harry Daugherty l Forced to resign – charged with fraud & bribery l Had been Harding’s right-hand-man l Teapot Dome Scandal l Sec of Interior, Albert B. Fall l Leased gov’t oil fields to oil companies that paid Fall kickbacks – $1000 s l Others in administration also linked to this l Harding’s administration often considered most corrupt in US history

Calvin Coolidge l Was untouched by Harding era scandals l Very popular, known for integrity l Election of 1924 l Coolidge (Rep) v. John W. Davis, WV (Dem) v. Bob La. Follette (Prog) l Coolidge won easily l Refused to comment on controversial issues – called “Silent Cal” l A very “hands off” president – relaxed style l Will not run for re-election

“The Business of America is Business” - Coolidge l Reduced national debt l Economy was strong l l Auto industry l Success of auto industry had a ripple effect through economy l More white collar workers needed l Growth of advertising industry l Expansion l Debts of those buying on credit*** rising 2 ½ times faster than income