trends in the 1920s. politics scandal and return to “laissez faire”
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Trendsin the1920s
Trendsin the1920s
![Page 2: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
POLITICS
Scandal and return to
“Laissez Faire”
![Page 3: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Poor President HardingPoor President Harding President Harding:
Decent man but surrounded by bad people (Grant – 50 years ago)
Ohio Gang Harding’s buddies from back
home
Teapot Dome Scandal Navy oil reserves secretly sold
by Harding’s Appointees to private companies
Harding goes on tour of Alaska Dies of Heart Attack Soon after
![Page 4: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Teapot Dome ScandalTeapot Dome Scandal
Harding: “ I have no trouble w/ my enemies… But my damned Friends… They’re the ones that keep me walking the floor at nights!”
![Page 5: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
President Coolidge “The business of America is business.”
Assumes Power after death of Harding
Firm Believer in Laissez FaireMcNary Haugen Bill
Passed by Congress to assist farmers Vetoed twice
Bonus ActProposed to help families of WWI
vetsVetoed
Revenue ActsReduced Income Taxes
![Page 6: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
ISOLATIONISM
![Page 7: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
““NormalcyNormalcy”” and and IsolationismIsolationism Warren G. Harding: runs for president –
motto becomes “return America to simpler days”
Harding pursuing an isolationist policy
![Page 8: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Washington Naval Conference (1921)
21 Major powers invited to prevent a naval arms race
Countries agreed to scale back their navy and scrap large warships
Charles Evan Hughes (Sec. of State) – No more warships built for 10 years
![Page 9: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Kellogg-Briand Pact Kellogg-Briand Pact (1929)(1929)
renounces war as an instrument of national policy
1515 nations dedicated to outlawing aggression and nations dedicated to outlawing aggression and war as tools of foreign policy.war as tools of foreign policy.
ProblemsProblems lack of enforcement and gave lack of enforcement and gave Americans a false sense of security. Americans a false sense of security.
![Page 10: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
ReparationsReparations United States demanding Great Britain/France
pay debts ($10 billion to U.S). G.B./France demand Germany (bankrupt) pay
reparations France sends troops into Germany’s Ruhr Valley
– U.S. steps in to prevent war U.S. banks loan Germany $2.5 billion to pay
reparations to G.B. & France Called the Dawes Plan (Charles Dawes –
banker) G.B. & France takes money from Germany and
pays back the U.S. U.S. being repaid with its own money U.S. didn’t pay fair share of costs of WWI – G.B. &
France angry
![Page 11: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
European Debts to the European Debts to the USUS
![Page 12: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Hyper-Inflation in Germany: 1923Hyper-Inflation in Germany: 1923
![Page 13: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Dawes PlanDawes Plan (1924)(1924)
![Page 14: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
NATIVISM
![Page 15: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
The Russian Revolution and The Russian Revolution and CommunismCommunism
Bolshevik Revolution in Russia
Seen as Anti Capitalism in the U.S.
70,000 radical in U.S. join Communist Party
Result: Red Scare
![Page 16: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
The Russian Revolution and CommunismThe Russian Revolution and Communism(continued)(continued)
A. Mitchell Palmer- U.S. Attorney GeneralAnti CommunistKnown for “Palmer
Raids”
J. Edgar HooverFirst head of FBI Hunts down suspected
Communists/Anarchists
![Page 17: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
The Russian Revolution and CommunismThe Russian Revolution and Communism(continued)(continued)
![Page 18: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
The Red Scare Fuels NativismThe Red Scare Fuels Nativism Nicola Sacco &
Bartolommeo Vanzetti both were Italian,
anarchists & evaded WWI draft
Charged with murdering a paymaster & stealing $15,000
Evidence circumstantialfound guilty &
executed
![Page 19: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
The Red Scare Fuels NativismThe Red Scare Fuels Nativism(continued)(continued)
1961: ballistic tests show Sacco pistol was murder weapon
No proof Sacco pulled the trigger
1977: Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis declared not a fair trial
![Page 20: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
The Ku Klux KlanThe Ku Klux Klan Rise of nativism & communism
Rebirth of the Klan
By 1924 – 4.5 million membersNow nationwide organization
Supported prohibition – opposed unions
Hated Roman Catholics, Jews, foreigners
Believed in 100% Americanism
![Page 21: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
The Ku Klux Klan
![Page 22: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Limiting ImmigrationLimiting Immigration Emergency Quota Act (1921):
Established max number of immigrants from any one country
Primarily focused on S. and E EuropeIncrease in Western Hemisphere
immigrants1920s: 1 million Canadians – 500,000
Mexicans enter US
National Origins Act (1924) set limit at 2% for each country
![Page 23: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
![Page 24: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Emergency Quota Act
![Page 25: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
LABOR UNREST
![Page 26: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Unions and Labor Unions and Labor UnrestUnrest During War -Strikes not allowed
After War - 3,000 strikes in 1919 alone wages not keeping up with prices
Growing numbers of Unskilled LaborersOften Left out of Labor UnionsAfrican Americans excluded from most unionsPush for Open Shops
1920 – union membership was 5 million 1929 – union membership was 3.5 million
![Page 27: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Coal Miners Strike (1919) United Mine Workers
elected John Lewis their new President.
He organized a nationwide strike and was able to get a 27% wage increase, but could not win shorter hours.
![Page 28: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
WEALTH
![Page 29: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
The Impact of Automobiles
Let Americans take vacations to new areas
Construction of paved roads such as the famous Route 66 gave rise to homes with garages, gas stations, motels, and repair shops popping up everywhere
![Page 30: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Impact of Automobiles(continued)
Allowed workers to live miles from their jobs creating urban sprawl
By late 1920s – 80% of all registered vehicles in the world were in the US
![Page 31: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
1927: First underwater tunnel- Holland Tunnel
![Page 32: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
1929: Woodbridge Cloverleaf in NJ– first cloverleaf intersection
![Page 33: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
The Airplane Industry Cause of growth:
carried mail for U.S. government
1927: Charles Lindberg – first solo flight across Atlantic Ocean (“Spirit of St. Louis”)
1927: Pan American Airways made first transatlantic passenger flights
![Page 34: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Electrical Conveniences
Development of alternating current allowed electricity to be distributed over longer distances
Electrical items such as the refrigerators and toasters made life of the housewife easier
![Page 35: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Rise of Modern Advertising Companies hired
psychologists to study how to appeal to people’s desires
Advertising will gradually become one of the most profitable industries in America
Leads to Increasing Consumerism
![Page 36: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Consumer Economy
![Page 37: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Superficial Prosperity
![Page 38: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
The Roaring Life of the 1920s
Culture
![Page 39: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
New Urban Scene5 65 cities with over
100K people
5 People judged each other by their accomplishments
5 Drank, gambled, casually dated, danced
5 City life was fast-paced & impersonal
![Page 40: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Prohibition Experiment 5 Liquor led to crime,
family abuse and accidents on the job
5 18th Amendment passed making it illegal to manufacture, sale and transport alcohol
5 Volstead Act established the Prohibition Bureau, but it was underfunded and undermanned
![Page 41: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Prohibition Experiment5 Speakeasies were
places where people could illegally buy liquor
They were in cellars and hardware stores
5 Bootleggers were individuals who smuggled alcohol into the U.S
![Page 42: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Prohibition Experiment5 Al Capone was the
most famous organized crime boss in Chicago
5 Killed off most of his competition
5 By Mid 20s only 19% support Prohibition
5 1933: 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition
![Page 43: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
American Fundamentalism5 Fundamentalism
believed in the literal interpretation of the bible.
5 They were skeptical of science and rejected theory of evolution
5 Use religious revivals or radio to spread word of God
![Page 44: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
The Scopes Trial5 1925: TN made it a
crime to teach evolution
5 John Scopes defied the law and the ACLU hired Clarence Darrow to defend him
5 Prosecutor: William Jennings Bryan
![Page 45: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
The Scopes Trial (July 10, 1925)
5 Called Bryan to the stand
5 Bryan: “Not 6 days of 24 hours”
5 Scopes found Guilty
5 TN Supreme Court overturned ruling
Darrow and Bryan
![Page 46: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Women5 Emancipated
women who embraced new fashions and attitudes were called FLAPPERS
5 Smoked, drank, talked about sex
5 Marriage an equal partnership
![Page 47: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Women5 Not all subscribed to
Flapper
5 Casual Dating rose
5 Men could have greater sexual freedom, while women had to observe stricter standards. This is known as the double standard
![Page 48: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Changing Family
5 Births decreased Margaret Sanger
Advocated use of Contraceptives
5 Free time for women
5 More children in schools
![Page 49: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Education and News5 Newspaper
circulation rose
5 Mass circulation magazines summarized the weeks news
5 Americans tuned into radio which became the most powerful means of mass communication
![Page 50: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
American Heroes in the 1920s
Charles Lindberg made the first non stop solo flight across the Atlantic
Flew in his plane the Spirit of St. Louis.
Became a national hero
![Page 51: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Movies, Writers, and Artists5 A national pastime
5 In 1927 The Jazz Singer was the first “Talkie”
5 Steamboat Willie was the first talking animated movie
5 Talkies doubled attendance
![Page 52: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis
5 Fitzgerald coined the term “Jazz Age”
5 The Great Gatsby showed negative side of the period
5 Sinclair Lewis: first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature
![Page 53: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
The Lost GenerationThe Lost Generation The “Lost Generation”
was a term used to describe people in post WWI America
This term also characterizes a specific group of writers during this era.
Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway were some of this “club’s” members
Most of these authors focused on the negative aspects of the era
![Page 54: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Civil Rights in the 1920’s5 African Americans
Harding Supported Anti Lynching
Laws First Prez to openly do so
Coolidge Spoke in favor of Af Am
Rights Applauded role in WWI
Southern Democrats filibustered most proposed laws
5 Native Americans Indian Citizenship Act
1924Signed by CoolidgeGranted citizenship to all
Native Americans
![Page 55: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance
5 A period of African-American artistic activity
Expressing previous struggles of African Americans (under slavery)
Pride in African American heritage and folklore
Speaking out against discrimination and prejudice
![Page 56: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Duke Ellington
5 Jazz pianist5 Self-taught
musician5 “Soda Fountain
Rag” at the age of 15
![Page 57: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
Louis Armstrong
5 One of the most influential musicians in the history of Jazz
![Page 58: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
Marcus Garvey
5 Immigrant from Jamaica
5 Founded the UNIA(Universal Negro Improvement Association)
5 Advocated for blacks to start a colony in Africa
![Page 59: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
James Weldon Johnson
5 Poet5 Lawyer5 Executive
Secretary of the NAACP
![Page 60: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
Lift Every Voice and Sing ---James Weldon Johnson
Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring,Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies,Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,Let us march on till victory is won.
![Page 61: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
Claude McKay
5 Jamaican immigrant
5 Poems – militant versus encouraged blacks to resist prejudice
![Page 62: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/62.jpg)
If We Must Die --Claude McKay
If we must die—let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs, Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die—oh, let us nobly die, So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy Shall be constrained to honor us though dead! Oh, Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;
Though far outnumbered, let us show us brave, And for their thousand blows deal one death blow!
What though before us lies the open grave? Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back.
![Page 63: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/63.jpg)
Langston Hughes
5 Poet5 Describes the
difficult lives of working-class African Americans
![Page 64: Trends in the 1920s. POLITICS Scandal and return to “Laissez Faire”](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062500/56649ee75503460f94bf8835/html5/thumbnails/64.jpg)
I, too, sing America ---Langston HughesI am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,
But I laugh,And eat well,
And grow strong.Tomorrow,
I'll be at the tableWhen company comes.
Nobody'll dareSay to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"Then.
Besides,They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed -I, too, am America.