best of times & worst of times
in the 1920's
the worst of times
social
In the 1920's working-class Americans faced harsh working conditions. Americans reacted with strikes and organizations. Because they were facing harsh conditions many Americans joined unions. The greatest wave of labor unrest in the nation's history was created in the early 1920's when unions staged more than 3,600 strikes. (History Alive 334)
1920 is when 430,000 immigrants entered America and the next year almost doubled. Because the number of immigrants increased so much America called for immigration restriction. The rising number of immigrants caused nativism. (History Alive 338)
cultural
The early 1920's introduced a new version of the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK claimed to have control of 24 out of the 48 nation's legislatures. (1920's introduction) The Klan grew to to around 3 and 4 million members and they held huge marches in Washington D.C. They kept their violence quiet and struck at night. (History Alive 339)
Racial and religious tensions began when Asian immigrants and African Americans faced discrimination. Asians weren't allowed to become citizens or own land in some states. Whites and Asians were banned from getting married in many states. Also, returning African American veterans struggled searching for jobs. (History Alive 340)
economic
After WW1 lots of people went on a spending spree which resulted with a spike in inflation. They spent all their money they saved during the war on all sorts of goods. (History Alive 332)
Economic tensions started when demobilization started to cause major unemployment. Many Americans lost jobs because the was ended sooner than expected which caused factories and businesses that made war materials close. Unemployment grew when the army was discharged. Close to 5 million Americans were unemployed by 1920. (History Alive 332)
political
A political issue in the 1920's was the women movement. Although they did receive the right to vote, they had a lot of oppositions. They didn't win new opportunities in their workplaces and feminist goals were not achieved. Also, people had linked feminist groups to foreign radicalism. (1920's introduction)
Another political issue that occurred in the 1920's was the bomb threats. A total of 34 bombs were found across the U.S. No one ever found out who sent the bombs. "Many Americans saw the bomb scare as another sign that radicalism was threatening the public order." (History Alive 336)