How It Relates: During the first World War, unions were prohibited from striking, so as not to interfere with production during war times. As a result, the number of yearly strikes grew rapidly after the end of the war. In 1919, the number of strikes reached 3,000. Most notable were the Boston Police Strike and the Steel Mill Strike.

Below: Steel Mill Strike of 1919

How It Relates: The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 set up a quota which limited the number of people who could enter the U.S. at a time from each foreign country. This sharply cut the number of European immigrants entering the U.S. The quota system was implemented out of desire for U.S. isolationism.

How It Relates: As a result of the Red Scare, anti-communism was used as an excuse by racist organizations to promote the harassment of non white people. The KKK, or Ku Klux Klan, was one of these groups, devoting themselves to the harassment of non whites, but mainly African Americans. By 1924, membership had reached 4.5 million white male native born citizens.

Below: The Ku Klux Klan during an initiation ceremony, 1921

How did postwar conditions contribute to fear and deportation of foreigners and those suspected of supporting communism?

How It Relates: Fear of foreigners and communism during the 1920's lead to prejudice against all foreigners. This prejudice against Sacco and Vansetti, both Italian-born immigrants, lead to their death sentence, despite the fact that they were most likely innocent.

Below: Demonstrators protest the death sentence of Sacco and Vansetti

How It Relates: Catalyzed by the Russian Communist Revolution, in which the czarist regime was overthrown, mass panic swept the nation as fear of a communist threats to democracy grew, since Russian communists sought to end capitalism. This fear was further increased by the establishment of a communist political party in the U.S. The panic which overtook the nation as a result became known as the Red Scare.

Below: A cartoon depicting the encroaching threat of communist threats to democracy

How It Relates: During the 1920's a fear of communism rose, brought on by the overthrowing of the czarist regime in Russia by a communist party. Americans perceived communism as a threat to democracy and capitalism, and actively attempted to uncover communists during the Red Scare.

Below: Symbol of the U.S.'s first communist party

How It Relates: Postwar issues, such as job loss and increased price of living, led to a great fear and blame towards foreigners. Out of desire to return to normalcy and solve issues perceived to be caused by foreigners, the U.S. took on a policy of isolationism.

How It Relates: This prejudice and perceived fear of foreigners swept the nation post World War I. As a result of postwar issues, such as job loss and increased price of living, many directed blame at foreign born immigrants for issues within the nation.

Below: A sign depicting the nativist views of postwar U.S.