Article: U.S. Postwar Reds and Blues

Postwar Transition Years (1919-1920)

Introduction to the Era

• The tutorial "Postwar Blues...and Reds" provides an overview of the transition period in U.S. history post-World War I.

• This era is characterized by fear, anger, and violence following the war years.

Objectives

• Exploration of the postwar years, specifically 1919 and 1920.

• Key themes include economic consequences, decline of labor unions, the Red Scare, anti-immigrant nativism, and racial violence.

• Highlighting the significance of this often-overlooked historical period.

The Year 1919

Background and Overview

• 1919 should be a year of celebration following the end of World War I, which concluded in late 1918.

• Key figures included President Woodrow Wilson, who attended the Paris Peace Conference and advocated for his Fourteen Points to foster peace.

• Wilson’s efforts were undermined by allied nations focused on punishing Germany.

• His inability to secure U.S. involvement in the League of Nations highlighted a lack of leadership as he suffered a stroke, isolating him.

The Great War's Impact

• The U.S. entered WWI in 1917, contributing to over 100,000 American casualties.

• Warfare introduced modern combat horrors, yet U.S. losses were minor compared to the millions in Europe.

The Spanish Flu

Overview

• The influenza pandemic, referred to as the "Spanish Flu," emerged in spring 1918, infecting soldiers returning from the war.

• It resulted in over 22 million global deaths, which exceeded war casualties.

• In the U.S., around 675,000 died, accounting for more than ten times the combat deaths.

Spread and Response

• Public places closed, and masks became mandatory as cemeteries overflowed with the deceased.

• The virus's rapid spread illustrated the intersection of a wartime experience and the flu's devastation.

Economic Transition and Demobilization

Labor and Economic Changes

• Transition from a wartime to peacetime economy resulted in challenges, including job dislocations for returning soldiers and an influx of new workers.

• Women and African Americans enjoyed employment opportunities during the war, but returning soldiers displaced many.

• Agriculture faced severe downturns due to oversupply and declining prices post-war, leading to persistent economic weaknesses.

Labor Unions' Decline

• Labor unions initially gained strength during the war but lost influence after.

• In 1919, strikes surged, with over 4 million workers protesting for better conditions, although public sentiment turned against them, branding strikers as radicals.

• Calvin Coolidge's response to the Boston police strike exemplified the anti-union attitude.

The Red Scare and Anti-Communism

Rise of the Red Scare

• Anti-communism surged post-war due to the fear of radicals like the Bolsheviks in Russia.

• The Communist Party USA emerged, intensifying fears among Americans.

Palmer Raids

• A series of raids led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer targeted radicals and immigrants, resulting in mass arrests and deportations.

• Palmer's credibility diminished after failed predictions of radical uprisings on International Worker’s Day.

Nativism and Racial Violence

Nativism's Resurgence

• Post-war nativism thrived, leading to restrictive immigration laws, especially affecting Eastern European migrants.

• The Emergency Immigration Act of 1921 introduced quotas limiting numbers from certain nations.

Racial Tensions

• The Great Migration saw significant African American movement to northern cities, resulting in increased racial violence.

• The summer of 1919 saw multiple race riots, notably in Chicago, igniting widespread conflict and highlighting deep-seated racism.

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) Revival

Expansion of the Klan's Influence

• The KKK resurfaced not only as a Southern group but extended its influence nationwide, targeting immigrants, Catholics, Jews, and radicals, in addition to African Americans.

• The film "The Birth of a Nation" played a significant role in the Klan's revival, celebrating its perspective on civil rights history.

Conclusion: Transition to the 1920s

Reflection on Postwar Years

• The immediate postwar period was marked by social unrest, economic strife, and a culture of fear that influenced America’s transition to the 1920s.

• A new isolationist attitude emerged, contributing to the public's disillusionment with war.

• Warren G. Harding’s election in 1920 promised a "Return to Normalcy," setting the stage for the Roaring Twenties, characterized by cultural shifts, economic growth, and societal changes.

Final Thoughts

• The tutorial captures an era filled with tension and complexity, showcasing pivotal shifts as America moved from the trauma of war into a new decade.