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Increased social tension (Black Americans (KKK (Their influence began to…
Increased social tension
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Sacco and Vanzetti
On the 13th of April 1920 two Italian immigrants committed an armed robbery. The paymaster was shot and 15 thousand dollars were stolen.
An investigation proceeded. In early May the police heard that a car associated with the crime was at a local garage.
On the 5th of May the two men showed up to collect the car. One was Niccola Sacco (a shoe factory worker) and the other Bartolomeo Vanzetti (a fisherman). The pair became very nervous and fled. They had guns on them
The police caught up to them an arrested them. They both thought they were being arrested because of the mail bombings of the previous year - 1919. so they lied about their beliefs and their whereabouts on the day of the robbery.
They were both convicted to death by electrocution.
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The trial showed that even without conclusive evidence, two immigrants could be sentenced to death.
THEY HAD BEEN DENIED A FAIR TRIAL
- The outcome led to protests around the world: 60 in Italy.
- It united immigrants in the USA
- A mail bomb was sent to the American embassy in Paris
Guilty v Innocent
Gun –
(G)= An expert said the bullet could have come from Vanzetti’s gun.
(I)=The evidence was tampered with and the expert’s evidence was inconclusive.
Background:
(G)= Vanzetti had a previous conviction for an armed robbery, and they were both ‘daft-dodgers’ + anarchists.
(I)= Character witnesses said they both had a good reputation.
Lies –
(I)= Both men lied to the police.
(I)= They were scared the arrest had links to the bombings and therefore lied to the police as they had links.
Eyewitnesses –
(G)= The prosecution found lots of eyewitnesses although only some identified Sacco and Vanzetti.
(I)= They both had alibis. Vanzetti was seen selling fish and Sacco at the Italian consulate.
The police found out these were lies. They had a connection with the anarchist movement. this reduced their chances for a free trial
Black Americans
KKK
Their influence began to fall in 1925 due to a grand dragon who was found guilty of rape and murder of a 28 year old women. -- this damaged the reputation of the klan gravely.
By 1929 numbers were at about 200,00
They had influential members: senators, governors, mayors, police chiefs.
Victims found it difficult to find equality
They used -
- Violence: They would scare, lynch targets
- Education: They sued their influence to stop the teaching of evolution
- Protests: Against political candidates they disagreed with
- Economics: They would boycott business whose owners did not agree with them
The group was created after the American civil war to defend white supremacy and oppose rights for Black people.
- Jobs: The lack of education forced them to work unskilled factory work, domestically or farm labor.
- Job security: As they were Black it was easier to lose when the economy struggled.
- Right to vote: White people did their best to avoid their right to vote. They forced them to take literacy tests etc. - they could not pass
- They often lived in houses that lacked plumbing and electricity. Especially in segregated areas.
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Monkey Trial
A Biology teacher named John Scopes ignored the law as part of an experiment by the ACLU. He taught the theory to his class.
He was arrested and his trial began.
Scopes was fined 100 dollars and the Butler act remained active.
- It raised awareness towards the religious debate and the prosecution lawyer - Bryan's was publicly humiliated.
His defence lawyer was Clarence Darrow and the prosecutor was Bryan's. They were both very famous lawyers. This caused the trial to become a national event
In 1925 a law was passed. 'The Butler act' this illegalised the teaching of Darwinism. If this was done the criminal would be fined up to 500 dollars.