OBJECTIVE

In this lesson you will explore the various factors that led to America’s isolationist impulse in the 1920’s.

GUIDING QUESTION Did World War I have an effect on Americans attitudes towards foreigners (both before and after the United States joined the conflict)?  How were these attitudes reflected in our  domestic policies? How do you think revolutions around the globe contributed to isolationist sentiments? What was the Red Scare?  Can the acts of a few be generalized to an entire group? Who are foreigners?  Who are “native” Americans?  How can patriotism lead to discrimination? Do periods of fear and intolerance lead to increased freedoms?  What organizations in America responded to the increased suspicion of foreigners and were their efforts positive or negative overall?

DISCUSSION Where were you when the Twin Towers fell?  The morning of September 11, 2001 is a point in history that will be indelibly imprinted on the minds of all Americans.  I was leaving for work and as I got in my truck I heard some discussion on the radio about the attack.  Immediately I went back in the house and turned on the TV.  My wife and I both sat in horror as we watched the atrocity unfold.  I will never forget watching as people jumped from the burning towers moments before they collapsed.  Another thing I will never forget is an interesting change that took place in my view of others.

As I drove home from school some weeks later I passed a elderly gentlemen out for an evening stroll.  He was obviously of Arab descent and briefly a thought flashed through my mind.  What is he doing walking around here?  Chances are I had passed this individual in the past but had never taken notice of it.  Why was I now more aware of his presence?  Had the world changed that much since the attacks on the World Trade Centers?  Was this man a threat?  I had never thought of myself as a racist before so why would I even entertain thoughts like that?

American’s went through a similar identity crisis following World War I.  The Great War represented a swing of emotions for many in the United States.  Efforts were made at the start of the conflict to keep the United States totally out of the fight.  Once we were committed, anyone unsupportive of our involvement was seen with suspicion.  Compound this with the fact that a continuous wave of immigrants had been crashing onto the shores of our country for the last 50 years.  Many of these immigrants were…different.  To make matters worse they were coming from countries now seen as the enemy in the war “over there”.  Some were even coming from countries were revolutions were raging and many Americans saw these new arrivers as revolutionaries (never mind the fact that America was founded by revolutionaries).  When “the war to end all wars” was finally over America attempted to isolate herself from the rest of the world.  As this desire grew so did the fear of anyone or any group who questioned the trend.  Maybe history does repeat itself.

Assignment 4.01 - American Moves Towards Isolationism

1. Using the link to the above web site research the court case of Nicolla Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti.  Once you have read the history of the case and the outcome use the web site to answer the following questions in a Word document.

Background

1. What was the First Red Scare?  Write 2-3 paragraphs briefly describing this period of American History.
2. How were fears of radical ideas associated with immigrants?  What might justify people for feeling this way?

Case Questions

1. What exactly were Sacco and Vanzetti accused of?
2. What was some of the evidence against them?  How convincing was this evidence? 
3. How did Sacco and Vanzetti explain the evidence presented against them?
4. Why didn’t Vanzetti serve in World War I?  Why does the prosecutor want the jury to know that?
5. Why do you think the Madeiros testimony did not change the outcome of the trial?  Was he telling the truth?  Why would a man possibly confess to crime he didn’t commit?
6. How long did the two men spend in prison?

Responding Critically – make sure to fully explain each of your answers!

1. Why did people of the 1920’s fear Sacco and Vanzetti?  Can it ever be wrong for people to express their ideas?
2. Why do you think fear of radical ideas was very often associated with immigrants in the 1920’s?
3. Should a judge allow a prosecutor to question someone’s political beliefs?  Why or why not?

Opinion – this is your chance to state your opinion.  Some can be just how you feel but try to back up most of it with facts either from the case itself or from your knowledge of the time period.

1. The case of Sacco and Vanzetti is about prejudice and justice.  Give another illustration of a time in history when “prejudice has stopped justice”.  Write at least 2 paragraphs.
2. Sacco and Vanzetti were admitted anarchists, because they believed government did not work.  Do you think society could run without a government?  Explain.
3. Can it ever be wrong for someone to express their ideas, no matter how unpopular they might be?  Should government limit or encourage these kinds of expressions?
4. Read the “Sentencing Statements of Sacco and Vanzetti”.  Pay special attention to the statement made by Bartolomeo Vanzetti.  He says that his life has not been a failure.  Would you have felt the same way?  Explain.
5. Before his execution Vanzetti says, “This last agony is our triumph!”  What does he mean?

B. Once you have finished your questions go to the Assignment Area and click “View/Complete Assignment – 4.01 America Moves Toward Isolationism”.  Attach your Word document and click “Submit”.

C. HJ4.1 – Civil Rights.  Find a recent example of somebody who in your opinion has had their civil rights violated.  This can be from a magazine, newspaper, TV or other current event news source.  Write 1 paragraph describing what they did and how they have been treated and another paragraph commenting on the incident (two paragraphs total).