Aftermath of the War (WXT, PCE, MIG)

1918 Pandemic

• Definition: The 1918 influenza pandemic was a global health crisis that spread rapidly, killing an estimated 50 million people worldwide.

• Significance: The pandemic hit just as World War I was ending, contributing to the devastation of the war and complicating post-war recovery.

Recession

• Definition: The post-war period saw a brief but sharp economic recession in the U.S., with unemployment rising and industries adjusting to peacetime production.

• Significance: The recession highlighted the challenges of transitioning from a wartime economy to a peacetime one.

Red Scare

• Definition: The Red Scare was a period of intense fear of communism and radical leftist ideologies in the U.S. following World War I, fueled by the Russian Revolution and labor unrest.

• Significance: The fear of communism led to widespread repression of suspected radicals, particularly immigrants and labor activists.

Anti-Communist Hysteria

• Definition: Anti-communist hysteria during the Red Scare led to widespread fear, repression, and the persecution of suspected socialists, anarchists, and communists.

• Significance: This period of suspicion and violence was marked by the Palmer Raids and other government actions to suppress radical movements.

Xenophobia

• Definition: Xenophobia refers to fear and distrust of foreigners, often manifesting in discrimination, violence, and prejudice.

• Significance: Following World War I, xenophobia was exacerbated by the Red Scare, leading to increased suspicion of immigrants, particularly those from Eastern and Southern Europe.

Palmer Raids

• Definition: The Palmer Raids were a series of government actions in 1919 and 1920 led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer to arrest and deport suspected radicals, socialists, and anarchists.

• Significance: The raids reflected the widespread fear of communism and radicalism, and they led to violations of civil liberties.

Strikes of 1919

• Definition: The strikes of 1919 were a series of labor strikes across the U.S., involving workers in steel, coal, and other industries, demanding better wages and working conditions.

• Significance: The strikes highlighted the tensions between labor and management in the post-war economy and were part of a broader wave of labor unrest.

Race Riots

• Definition: Race riots in the post-war period, such as the 1919 Chicago Race Riot, were violent clashes between white and black communities, often sparked by racial tensions and competition for jobs.

• Significance: The riots were a manifestation of the racial animosity and inequality that persisted in the U.S. during the early 20th century.