1920 Exam #1

Quote Analysis 

Woodrow Wilson: Ran for presidency in 1916 and got elected. “He kept us out of war” / Wilson said he had a neutral view on the war → When England created a blockade against Germany, the U.S supported this making them now “neutral.” / “A war to end a war” (when the U.S entered war). “14 Points” (only his 14th point actually became true: League of Nations)

Henry Cabot Lodge: against Wilson's “League of Nations” → Believed that the U.S should prioritize its own interest. The U.S did not join the league of nations. 

A. Mitchell Palmer: Attorney general who led aggressive raids of the 1919-1921 red scare. In his “Case Against the Reds” he uses very strong language. “It is eating its ways into the homes of american worment, its sharp tongues of revolutionary heat were licking the altars of the churches..” – “until there aren't any more left among us” 

Emma Goldman: Prominent anarchist, feminist, and activist known for her advocacy of workers’ rights, free speech, and social reform. During the Red Scare, Goldman was arrested and deported to the Soviet Union in 1919 under accusations of being a dangerous radical.

Claude McCay: Experienced the Red Summer. “If We Must Die” Poem. Very intensive language uses “hogs” … “Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack, pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back”. 

Newspaper articles from The Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Defender: Two newspapers highlighting the horrible events that occurred in Chicago during the Red Summer. 

1. Tribune: More conservative; Painted a lot of the black people as monsters (ex. Stopping the white heroes from breaking off fights); when stating casualties majority are white; portrayed blacks to continue to encourage fighting instead of stopping it. 

2. Defender: Very feeling invoked; more defensive towards blacks.

Herbert Hoover: envisioned a cooperative relationship between individuals, government, and business, emphasizing self-reliance, voluntary action, and limited government intervention. He believed individuals should have the freedom to innovate and prosper, with businesses serving as engines of progress while acting responsibly toward society. 

Henry Ford: emphasized the benefits of industrial efficiency, consumer culture, and minimal government intervention, with policies favoring corporate growth. “My Life and Work” - The government is a servant and never should be anything but a servant → the moment people become adjunct to the government the law of retribution begins to work, for such a relation is unnatural, immoral, and inhuman. (Business and government are both servants to the U.S life)

Edward Purinton: language about wealth. Work for your wealth; receive what you put in; “the finest game is business… Spoke of business as a religion (Salvation of the world, were we see more christianity flow); business is the truest art; “The sanest religion is business”; 

Bruce Barton: Language about morality/religion → “Moses was one of the greatest salesmans” correlates the bible with moralities of business. 

Calvin Coolidge: emphasized the benefits of industrial efficiency, consumer culture, and minimal government intervention, with policies favoring corporate growth. Business is exemplified in Jesus’s talk and work.  Def. of wealth to him: Wealth is the product of industry, ambition, character and untiring effort. The accumulation of wealth means the multiplications of schools, the increase of knowledge, the dissemination of intelligence, the encouragement of science, …. (wealth = society development)

Norman Thomas: Argues how the dominance of business interest in American politics and how that is affecting the working class. Says the business has influenced legislation itself to work for its own benefit, while neglecting the needs of the working class. Ex. lack of child labor laws, national labor codes, etc. Criticizes the 14th amendment, arguing that it has been used to protect property rights at the expense of individual rights. 

William Bennet Munro: Argues that the country has become a “property minded nation” – The desire to be rich in America is strong – The United States has achieved a higher standard of living than any other country in history. 

Elise Hill: Supported the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), arguing that women needed full legal equality rather than special protections that reinforced dependence. She believed gender-based laws limited opportunities in work, property, and legal rights. 

Florence Kelly: Opposed the ERA, fearing it would remove labor protections for working-class women, who faced low wages and unsafe conditions. 

Carrie Chapman Catt: Became president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1900s (she aimed for the push for a practical politalc place in government; one issue at the time person; through WW1 proved that women were appelding the nation, believed that if a woman is as well qualified as a man to fill a position, she shall have an equal to fill a position, she shall have an equal and unprejudiced chance to secure it)

Doris Stevens: American Suffragist. Believed women have to have not just voting equality but also economic equality. Labor rights and equality are worthless if there is no economic equality. She liked to tackle laws by groups. Pro blanket amendment.   

Alice Hamilton: American Suffragist. Liked to take laws one by one instead of sweeping constitutional amendments. Believed the blanket amendment would harm more women that it would help, as it would make impossible to regulate working conditions for women. The blanket amendment would make it impossible to regulate working conditions for women. 

Mayme Ober Peak: Addresses women’s political participation in the early 20th century. Argues that women are surprised to find that politics are not abstract but directly affect their ;oves. Points out that women are more independent in their political choices than men, who inherit their political views from their fathers. Ex. the influence of voting on street laws, schools, and children’s lives. Highlights the importance of women's education.  

Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Feminist activist. Writes about women achievements enacted in the laws of california since 1921. Such as the right to sue or be sued without a husband. Educational rights for children, legal ages to marry, etc. Her text highlights the progress made in women's rights and the expansion of their roles in california. Also emphasizes the importance of education and health for children. 

Eleanor Roosevelt: Appointed as director of Bureau of Women’s Activities of the Democratic National Committee in 1928. Argues that women should learn to play the political game like men do. Women should organize themselves into political parties and elect their own leaders. Argues that women should be able to talk to men in terms of Business and they should  have the power to deliver votes. Her argument comes from the fact that she believes women are ignored in politics because they lack the organization and power that men have. Women can achieve equality through politics.