1920's

Jackie Diehl 10-4-10 Period D Essay The 1920’s were a time of prosperity and social growth for the United states. The war had ended, the economy prospered, the people lived well, and business boomed. New concepts of independence, and doing what one pleased filled the minds of the youth, encouraging a new morality of sorts. Life was changing for Americas people, black and while alike. These changes did good for the US but all forms of change, good or bad, have some opposing force. While the 1920’s are looked back on with reverence they were also a dark time filled with fear, defiance, and racial tension. Fears of communism, white supremacy groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, and new laws like prohibition added to the air of trepidation filling American homes. By definition Communism is Karl Marx’s idea of a perfect society, in which everyone is equal and over time the government ceases to exist. There is no crime, no pain, no suffering in this alleged perfect world. However, these beliefs about Communism were not adopted by the American people. During the 1920’s a massive wave of fear about communistic ideas spread through the US like wildfire, causing what we call today- the Red Scare. People saw Communism as a threat because Russia had been the first country to acquire this form of government. Soon after, they disbanded the war effort, broke their alliance with the Allies, and turned their back on Europe- they were traitors. Most citizens believed Communism would corrupt the values of America because of this. They feared it would destroy churches, friends, families, and all the bonds with others we hold dear. They feared uprooting the government would lead to changing the foundation America was laid on. Americans also felt apprehension towards this new idea because they felt they needed a government to protect their rights. Most people felt that without a government in place society would not be able to function. This made Americans angry at Communists, and soon even the government started prosecuting them. Raids were held without warrant, branches of the government were dedicated solely to the purpose of ridding America of its communists, and many suspected offenders were deported. This hostility towards actual believers of communism lead to racial tension between white Americans and European minorities who were infamous for these beliefs. The Red Scare infected the US with fear, and sparked quite a lot of Racial tension. Racial tension in America normally occurred strongly in the South. The North was considered a safe-haven from Lynching’s of African Americans and other minorities in the US. However, this was not the case in the 1920’s. Many white supremacy groups resurged in this decade- the most famous being the KKK. African Americans were hung, beat, and persecuted daily along with many Immigrants. White Americans blamed these minorities for Anarchist ideas, strikes, all crimes, and all the basic ails of society. They believed the US would be better without any of these minorities so the KKK harassed hundreds, and murdered many. They instilled a constant fear into any nonwhite Americans, and the government did nothing. There were battles between normal citizens and minorities as well. Immigrants reacted violently to this prosecution and retaliated by killing white civilians and committing crimes. Much havoc and violence was created because of the Ku Klux Klan. Terrible lynching’s and beatings contributed to racial tension, and the famous fear of the 20’s. Another form of tension in the US in the 1920’s was caused by the 18th Amendment that made sale and consumption of alcohol a federal offence. This concept was called Prohibition, and was all together disregarded by America’s people. Alcohol was smuggled into the US by gang members, like Al Capone, and sold to secret bars called speakeasies. This new level of activity of gangs increased violence and crime in the US. Illegal activities were much harder to control as a result of Prohibition. The 18th amendment was not only overlooked by gang members, but everyday people as well. Everyone in the cities went to speakeasies, people entertained at their homes, even the President drank. Ignoring the government and breaking laws had stuck a fancy with US citizens enticing rebellion and the idea that they could do whatever they wanted when they wanted. This inspired the New Morality- the idea that freedom to do what you wanted was something everyone had. These new ideas frightened older generations, and created tension in the households of America. Prohibition failed as law because one could not teach morality, nor force the youth of America to fall into the constraints of society. The 18th Amendment contributed greatly to the building sense of independence and fear of violence in the US. The 1920’s were a period of mixed feelings for America. These emotions were brought on by the Red Scare, Ku Klux Klan, and Prohibition Laws. As successful as America was in the 20’s there was also a dark side. Under the industrialization, new outfits, and all around wealth was deceit, fear, and violence. Eventually the US’s turbulence settled, and America was peaceful and unafraid.