Lecture 10/10

The Progressive Era is often viewed as concluding with the First World War.
The Progressive Era is characterized by belief in human progress and rational solutions to societal problems.
The optimism that defined the era waned after the experiences of World War I, particularly with the application of advanced technology in warfare.

While periodization helps to delineate history into chunks, it risks presenting decades in isolation.
Issues and movements, like the Civil Rights Movement, often have roots in earlier decades, not solely emerging in their respective decade.
Understanding contexts and continuities across decades is crucial for a complete historical perspective.

After World War I, Americans were left in a state of disarray, transitioning into the 1920s.
Progressive era coalitions splintered into various groups with conflicting interests.
The 1920s saw both excitement and backlash regarding societal changes, particularly from the younger generations embracing modernity versus conservative elements wishing to maintain traditional roles.

Spanish Influenza (1918-1919): A significant global pandemic that overshadowed the end of the war.
- Infected 3-5% of the world’s population, resulting in an estimated 50-100 million deaths.
- The U.S. experienced approximately 116,000 military deaths, with 300,000 additional sick and wounded.
- Localized outbreaks led to drastic public health responses including closures of public spaces and mandatory mask-wearing.
- Significance: The pandemic was largely forgotten in the public's consciousness until the COVID-19 pandemic brought awareness back.

Red Summer (1919): Postwar violence that erupted across 25 American cities.
- Triggered by incidents of perceived encroachment of African Americans on white public spaces, leading to racially charged riots.
- Example: Chicago race riot began after a young black swimmer crossed an invisible racial line in Lake Michigan, escalating violence for two weeks with significant casualties.
- President Wilson’s inaction during the riots illustrated lack of federal concern for African American lives, exacerbating racial wounds.

A new Red Scare emerged due to domestic unrest and fears of communism following the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.
- Increased labor unrest as workers, now free from wartime constraints, began striking for better conditions.
- In 1919 alone, over 4 million American workers went on strike across various industries.
- The Boston Police Strike of September 1919 illustrated the tensions between labor forces and public safety concerns.
- Fear of communism compounded by domestic terrorism incidents (e.g. mailed bombs targeting prominent figures).

The government clamped down on perceived radicals:
- Led to the deportation of suspected anarchists and radicals
- J. Edgar Hoover's rise to power through intelligence gathering on political dissidents.
- Raids and arrests of suspected communists reflected societal fears and resulted in violation of civil liberties.

The fallout from the war, pandemic, race riots, and Red Scare culminated in cultural disillusionment leading into the 1920s.
The scandal of the 1919 World Series (involving the Chicago White Sox) further eroded public trust and added to the national malaise.

Warren G. Harding won the 1920 election, promoting a return to normalcy as a response to the overwhelming national disturbances.
The 1920s, however, would diverge from this promise, ultimately birthing a new modernism that embraced technological advancements, scientific discovery, and evolving social roles, particularly for women.

The decade would be characterized by a blend of traditionalist values clashing against modernist ideals, setting the stage for significant transformations in American society.
The reflections of earlier events (war, pandemic, racial tensions) played a crucial role in shaping the 1920s dynamic.
An introduction to the second writing assignment on the drastic changes of this era will be forthcoming in the next session.