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
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