Examples Of Nativism In The 1920s

Right at the peak of the “Roaring Twenties”, employment rates were rising; however, this evidently was a threat to native Americans who sought to compete for jobs with the mexican americans. Not only were mexicans constantly fighting to keep their jobs, but most were pretty much forced to change their culture to completely be “americanized”. “In 1921, a law was passed that limits the number of immigrants allowed to enter the United States during a single year are imposed for the first time in the country’s history”(Hispanic America V.I). This shows how “whites” felt threatened that Mexican Americans were coming in taking jobs, security, etc so the government eventually just limited the amount of immigrants who could come in. This

As a nation coming out of a devastating war, America faced many changes in the 1920s. It was a decade of growth and improvements. As immigrants fled from Europe, the economy improved, and new machines offered convenience and luxury from the kitchen to the streets. However, with all change comes opposition. The 1920s revealed a conflict between traditional America and the new attitude and lifestyle through the changing role of women, continued dominance of Christian values, and racism.

The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great change and a time of powerful enthusiasm in many areas of society. The world had just finished the biggest war in history, the First World War, and the United States was left almost unharmed by the war. The United States was able to experience a decade of peace and success following the war. During this decade, America became the wealthiest country in the world (Trueman, 2000). The people in the United States went through a colorful period during the twenties. However, at the same time the 1920s was also a very rebellious and difficult time for many. The culture of the 1920s has influenced the culture of America’s society today.

“For much of the twentieth century, one of the nation’s deepest fears was that legions of Communist agents had infiltrated American society…” (Hillstrom 5). Throughout American history, it was not unusual for a minority group to be oppressed. “Native” American citizens were quick to make assumptions about “non-native” groups, viewing them as inferior or even threatening. In the years after World War I, when the first Red Scare began, the groups of concern were reformers, radicals, and Communists. This led to a series of raids, called the Palmer Raids, which targeted anyone who was suspected to have had these beliefs. The Palmer Raids of the early 1900s were an expression of America’s nativist attitudes, resulting in

Benjamin Franklin once said “In short, unless the stream of their importation could be turned...they will soon so outnumber us, that all the advantages we have, will, in my opinion, be not able to preserve our language, and even our government will become more precarious.” Written in a letter in 1750 by our very own Founding Father Benjamin Franklin in regards to the high volume of migrating Germans into the colony of Pennsylvania. To many readers they could easily expect these words from nativist, but hearing it from one of the most influential people in history it conveys a lot about the shaping of the United States and where its roots of nativism started. Nativism is defined as 'a policy favoring native inhabitants as opposed to immigrants'.

There were several conflicts that arose, but the three that had the most negative impacts upon the United States would have to be the effects of the Red Scare, the return of the KKK, and the increase of organized crime. In the midst of World War I, Russia and Germany signed a peace treaty known as the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, in which Russia agreed to exit the Great War and deal with issues back home. Shortly after this occurred, Vladimir Lenin led the Bolshevik Revolution. This caused the Czar of Russia to be overthrown, in which Lenin became the new ruler of Russia and set up the very first communist regime. Communism was determined to be capitalism’s rival and abolish it within the world economy, sparking a wide spread panic among the United States known as the Red Scare. Americans were scared of communist spreading throughout the United States in the form of spies or invasion. This caused the government to take rash, unconstitutional actions towards non-natural born Americans throughout the nation, commencing the Palmer Raids and the quota system. The Palmer raids was General Mitchell Palmer’s counter to the Red Scare, in which he used police brutality to crack down on communists, socialists, and anarchists to protect the virtues of

Throughout the 1920′s the Klan’s membership saw an increase, estimates at the time ranged from 3-5 million and profits rolled in from the sale these memberships, regalia, costumes and rituals. The Ku Klux Klan used intimidation, threats, beating and even murder in their quest for a “purified America”, thus appealing to many Americans due to their proactive approach, which had not been mirrored by that of the republican government during the period. An example of such influence is the alleged election of governors in Maine, Colorado and Louisiana who had KKK support.

By 1920, the Puritan legacy, the cant of nativist racists, the economic wars, World War One, the crime wave, and the Red Scare had conditioned the American people to fear and despise certain groups. These groups usually included eastern and southern Europeans. The arrest and trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti was fixated more on the battle between Anarchy and American traditions rather than the actual evidence the prosecution presented. The Red Scare played a massive part in this. The Sacco and Vanzetti case reflects the fears of immigration, immigrant crime and anarchy.

Immigrants were seen in a negative light as they were stealing their jobs and not favored by native born Americans. This case was dragged out for seven years with political battles, protests, and more until finally a sentenced was made. Sacco and Vanzetti were proclaimed guilty of the crime and were to be executed. When the execution happened it was noted that Vanzetti stated, “I wish to forgive some people for what they are now doing to me.” This chapter does not claim that they were necessarily guilty but ignores the possibility of their innocence.

The 1920’s was a great and important decade for the United States. After World War I, the United States went through events and changes that, overall, made the United States a much better place to live. New advances in technology and industry improved American life in more ways than just one. Americans had better wages during this time, more leisure time, and overall, had a better life than ever before. In addition, the 1920’s advocated social and cultural change as well. During this time period, the United States did not return to Normalcy, and instead developed attitudes that changed the life of the people of the United States forever thanks to social changes, cultural changes and changes in technology.

Joseph McCarthy claimed that, “[the secretary of state] has lighted the spark which is resulting in a moral uprising and will end only when the whole sorry mess of twisted, warped thinkers are swept from the national scene so that we may have a new birth of national honesty and decency in government” (Communists in the State Department) . In the twenties and fifties, fear struck the hearts of many americans. They were afraid for their lives, liberty and their pursuits of happiness because they felt they were being threatened by outsiders, communists, anarchists, and many more. When mass hysteria took hold the country during the red scares of the 1920’s and the 1950’s, the citizens of the united states started thinking out of emotion instead

The term “American dream” is relatively new and can stand for different connotations depending on the context. It was created by James Truslow Adams and written down in his book, The Epic of America, which was published in 1931. He states that the American dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”(Adams). However, the basis for the foundation can be traced back to the sixteenth century Puritans. The Puritans did not call it the American dream, but their attitude towards religion and work ethic is similar to the term. They believed that for every single person there was a destiny. James Truslow Adams was a writer and stated that “dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”(Adams). America

He also named the four other men, Joe, Fred, Pasquale and Mike Morelli, who had taken part in the robbery. The Morelli brothers were well-known criminals who had carried out similar robberies in area of Massachusetts. However, the authorities refused to investigate the confession made by Madeiros. Many leading writers and artists became involved in a campaign to obtain a retrial. Although, Webster Thayer, the original judge, was officially criticised for his conduct at the trial, the authorities refused to overrule the decision to execute the men. By the summer of 1927 it became clear that Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti would be executed. On 23rd August 1927, the day of execution, over 250,000 people took part in a silent demonstration in Boston. Soon after the executions, Eugene Lyons published his book, The Life and Death of Sacco and Vanzetti. Fifty years later, on 23rd August, 1977, Michael Dukakis, the Governor of Massachusetts, issued a proclamation, effectively absolving the two men of the crime.

When considering the outcome of the trial you have to take into account the historical context and the prevailing attitudes of society at the time.

Sacco and Vanzetti’s trial also garnered national attention through newspaper articles. Six years after their conviction, Sacco and Vanzetti gained international attention. Their defense lawyers also argued that the men were only convicted due to their anarchist beliefs and went on to contact Benito Mussolini who argued in defense of the men as well. Prejudice against anarchists was present during the time of this trial had a great impact on the outcome of the case and left a lasting impression of America. Another man ended up confessing to the murders, but Sacco and Vanzetti were continually denied a new trial. Just as in Frank’s trial, the defense for Sacco and Vanzetti applied for clemency but did not receive it. Furthermore, a judge was able to deny their appeals and eventually this rule was rewritten in Massachusetts so judges no longer have this power. The fear of communism and prejudice against immigrants played a major role in this case and impacts people’s lives