America’s Postwar Struggles (Ch. 12, Sec. 1)

1. US Reacts to Threat of Communism2. Anti-Immigrant Attitudes & Ku Klux Klan3. Quota System & Workers’ Strikes

How did the US react to the perceived threat of Communism?

• Americans returned to isolationism, and nativism led to anti-immigrant hysteria

• Americans grew concerned of a Communist takeover similar to Lenin & Bolsheviks (Russia)

• Communist Party formed in US (radicals, IWW members); blamed for several bombings

• US Attorney General Palmer’s Raids against radicals attacked people’s civil rights

• Hundreds of foreign-born radicals were rounded up & deported without trials

How did anti-immigrant attitudes aid the Ku Klux Klan?

• Sacco & Vanzetti case caused public outrage (radicals, immigrants)

• KKK used Red Scare & anti-immigrant sentiment to recruit members (1924- 4.5 mil.)

• KKK opposed unions, Roman Catholics, Jews, & any foreign-born people

• KKK controlled politics in many states, but criminal activities caused them to lose power

How did the quota system and workers’ strikes affect society?

• Emergency Quota Act (1921) was in response to 600% rise in immigration (805,000)

• Act limited number of immigrants from each country to 2% of number living in US

• Limited total immigration to 150,000 per year & excluded Japanese

• During 1919, 3,000 strikes took place over wages & better working conditions

• Boston Police, Steel Mill, & Coal Miner strikes changed America’s attitude towards unions