American History

World War I and Racial and Social tension in America

Racism was on its peak in the United States after 1890 . Immigration played a major role in creating the racial divide in the American society

There was a significant change in the United States after world War-I The economic crisis created by cotton failure and floods compelled the black citizens in South to move to North as the North had a high industrial growth and job opportunities . However , when the soldiers returned from the war , there was a major readjustment crisis . The

white people protested vociferously against the presence of black people Violence , assault , and riots took place in many cities like Nebraska East Saint Louis , Illinois and Chicago

World War-I intensified the racism in America . There was a hostility and suspicion towards the immigrants . To overcome the crisis created by the war , the US government increased the taxes . Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 were passed by the US Congress , which imposed fines and jail sentences on the people who protested against the government or the war . These repressive laws targeted a section of people and suppressed the dissent against the government

Wilson 's goals in the negotiations at Versailles

Before the end of World War-I , President Woodrow Wilson designed a plan `Fourteen Points ' for world peace . His goals were to abolish secret diplomacy , guarantee freedom of the seas , remove international trade barriers (wherever necessary , reduce arms , and consider the interests of colonized peoples . He strongly advocated the self-determination for all the nations . He also emphasized for a League of Nations to mediate between the nations and work towards peace

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At Versailles , the Allies ignored most of Wilson 's goals . They redrew the map of Europe and changed the boundaries . Germany was divided and demilitarized

Wilson had a tough time to gain support on his home front when the Republicans who controlled the Senate , disliked the proposed League of Nations . They refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles . This forced Wilson to go on a nation-wide campaign to win support for his peace proposals

How Racism was expressed and justified in 1920 's

In the 1920 's , racism was justified in America in the name of protecting the white women from the black men who were regarded as criminals Accusation of attempted rape and other crimes were used as excuse to attack the blacks . Racial attacks were viewed as a deterrent to discourage the marriage and relationship between the black men and the white women . Even those affluent people , who became a threat to the supremacy of the white community , were attacked

Groups like The Ku Klux Klan and the American Legion led the charge of such attacks . The Klan also attacked the women who were accused of scandalous behavior

Rise of Mass Culture

In America , a new mass culture was generated in the 1920 's . People became more inclined towards entertainment . Mass culture brought a significant change in the ideas and belief...