DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION
To What Extent was the 1920’s a “modern” decade?
Document A
SOURCE: A. Mitchell Palmer, The Case Against the Reds (1920)
Behind, and underneath, my own determination to drive from our midst the agents of
Bolshevism. I have discovered the hysterical methods of these revolutionary humans. I have
been asked to what extent deportation will check radicalism in this country. Why not ask
what will become of the United States Government if these alien radicals carry out the
principles of the Communist Party?
In place of the United States Government we would have the horror and terrorism of
Bolshevik tyranny such as the destroying Russia now. The whole purpose of communism
appears to be the mass formation of the criminals of the world to overthrow the decencies of
private life, to usurp property, to disrupt the present order of life regardless of health, sex or
religious rights.
These are the revolutionary tenets of the Communist Internationale. These include the
IWW's, the most radical socialists, the misguided anarchists, the agitators who oppose the
limitations of unionism, the moral perverts and the hysterical neurasthenic women who
abound in communism.
Document B
Document(s) C
Source: The Klansman Manual 1925
The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is a movement devoting itself to the needed task of
developing a genuine spirit of American patriotism. Klansmen are to be examples of pure
patriotism. They are to organize the patriotic sentiment of native-born white, Protestant
Americans for the defense of distinctively American institutions. Klansmen are dedicated to
the principle that America shall be made American through the promulgation of American
doctrines, the dissemination of American ideals, the creation of wholesome American
sentiment, the preservation of American institutions.
Source: Washington DC Klan Rally, 1920
Document D
SOURCE: United States Constitution: Ratified August 18, 1920.
Nineteenth Amendment
Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Document E
SOURCE: "Sacco and Vanzetti" (1927), Ben Shahn 1931-1932.
Document F
SOURCE: “I, Too, Sing America” By: Langston Hughes (1926)
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll sit at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then. Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—
I, too, am America.
Document G
SOURCE: “Tea for Two” from “No, No, Nanette” by Vincent Youmans
Flappers are we
Flappers are we
Flappers and fly and free.
Never too slow
All on the go
Petting parties with the smarties.
Dizzy with dangerous glee
Puritans knock us
Because the way we’re clad.
Preachers all mock us
Because we’re not bad.
Most flippant young flappers are we!
Document H
SOURCE: United States Constitution: Ratified January 29, 1919.
Eighteenth Amendment
Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or
transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation
thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for
beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Document I
Document J
Source: The New York Times. Sunday, July 12, 1925.
Document K