1919 – United States Year in Review

“I can predict with absolute certainty that within another generation, there will be another world war if the nations of the world do not concert the method to prevent it.”

– Woodrow Wilson, Omaha, Nebraska, September 8, 1919

The year 1919 stands as a pivotal, tumultuous, and transformative period in the history of the United States. Fresh from the battlefields of World War I, a nation yearned for peace and stability. However, the reality of 1919 was far from tranquil. Instead, the country grappled with a confluence of social, political, and economic upheavals that left an indelible mark on the American psyche. From the lingering devastation of the Spanish Flu pandemic to the eruption of racial violence and the rise of radical ideologies, 1919 challenged the very foundations of American society.

This article will explore the multifaceted landscape of 1919 in the United States, examining the key events, trends, and figures that shaped this critical juncture in American history. We will delve into the anxieties and aspirations of a nation grappling with the aftermath of war, the rise of social unrest, and the burgeoning cultural shifts that would define the coming decades.

The shadow of World War I loomed large over the nation as soldiers returned home to an uncertain future. The war had not only exacted a heavy toll in human lives but had also exacerbated existing social and economic inequalities. The promise of a "return to normalcy" was quickly overshadowed by the realities of unemployment, inflation, and labor unrest.

The year began with the nation still reeling from the devastating Spanish Flu pandemic, which had claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans in 1918. As winter turned to spring, a third wave of the virus swept across the country, further straining healthcare systems and sowing fear among the population. The pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of the nation’s public health infrastructure and highlighted the disparities in access to care.

The political climate in 1919 was equally volatile. The Progressive Era, with its emphasis on social reform and government regulation, had reached its zenith, but a backlash was already brewing. Voters grew disillusioned with President Woodrow Wilson and his progressive policies, feeling that the government had overstepped its bounds. The rise of radical ideologies, such as communism and anarchism, further fueled anxieties about the stability of the American political system.

The burgeoning "Red Scare" gripped the nation as fears of communist infiltration and subversion ran rampant. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer launched a series of raids targeting suspected radicals, violating civil liberties and creating a climate of fear and suspicion. The Palmer Raids, as they became known, epitomized the anxieties of the era and the government’s heavy-handed response to perceived threats.

The year 1919 was also marked by a surge in racial violence and unrest. The "Red Summer" saw a series of race riots erupt in cities across the country, fueled by racial tensions, economic competition, and the legacy of slavery and segregation. White mobs attacked African American communities, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. These events exposed the deep-seated racism that permeated American society and the fragility of race relations in the post-war era.

In the face of these challenges, Americans also sought to build a better future. The passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, marked a significant milestone in the struggle for gender equality. The amendment was the culmination of decades of activism by suffragists and represented a triumph for the progressive movement.

The adoption of Prohibition through the 18th Amendment, while intended to address social ills, ultimately proved to be a failed experiment. The ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol led to the rise of organized crime and a widespread disregard for the law.

U.S. Statistics for 1919:

• President: Woodrow Wilson
• Vice President: Thomas R. Marshall
• Population: 104,514,000
• Federal spending: $18.49 billion
• Consumer Price Index: 17.3
• Unemployment: 1.4%

A Month-by-Month Look at the Key Events of 1919:

• January: Edsel Ford succeeded his father, Henry Ford, as head of the Ford Motor Company. Former President Theodore Roosevelt died in his sleep. The Boston Molasses Disaster occurred, killing 21 and injuring 150. The 18th Amendment, authorizing Prohibition, went into effect.
• February: Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith launched United Artists. The Seattle General Strike began and ended. Oregon imposed a gasoline tax, becoming the first state to do so.
• March: The Grand Canyon was established as a United States National Park. The Red Scare began in response to the revolution in Russia.
• April: Eugene V. Debs entered prison for speaking out against the draft. The Boston Telephone Strike occurred.
• May: The May Day Riots occurred in Cleveland, Ohio. A United States Navy seaplane began the first transatlantic flight. The first race riot of the Red Summer occurred in Charleston, South Carolina.
• June: Mail bombs were sent to prominent figures in the anarchist bombings. The United States Congress approved the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women’s suffrage. Pancho Villa attacked Ciudad Juárez.
• July: The cost of a first-class stamp rose from 2¢ to 3¢. The British airship R34 landed in New York, completing the first crossing of the Atlantic by an airship. The Wingfoot Air Express caught fire over downtown Chicago. The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 began.
• August: The Green Bay Packers were founded. The Communist Labor Party of America was formed.
• September: The Boston police force went on strike. The Florida Keys Hurricane killed 600 people. The Steel Strike of 1919 began. The second national rail strike began. The Omaha Riot occurred.
• October: The Elaine Race Riot broke out in Arkansas. President Woodrow Wilson suffered a massive stroke. Nine players from the Chicago White Sox threw the World Series in the Black Sox Scandal. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! First appeared as a cartoon. The United States Congress passed the Volstead Act over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto.
• November: The first Palmer Raid was conducted. Felix the Cat appeared in Feline Follies. The first national convention of the American Legion was held. The Centralia Massacre occurred. The Treaty of Versailles failed a critical ratification vote in the United States Senate.
• December: The United States deported 249 people, including Emma Goldman, to Russia during the Red Scare. The Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.

Developments in Technology and Culture:

• After moving from its southern rural roots, jazz established Chicago, Illinois, as its capital.
• The American Telephone and Telegraph Company introduced dial telephones.
• Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity was confirmed.
• The pop-up toaster, short-wave radios, and arc welders were invented in the U.S.

New Words Entering the Lexicon in 1919:

The year also saw the introduction of several new words and phrases into the English language, reflecting the changing times and technological advancements. These included "air freight," "ad-lib," "bagel," "bimbo," "chai," "collage," "copacetic," "cross-selling," "delouse," "dunk," "encode," "foxhole," "heavy-lifting," "Jerry," "Mercurochrome," "Naugahyde," "offline," "one-world," "payphone," "penne," "phooey," "pokey," "radio," "recharger," "semi-trailer," "Snookums," "spooking," "supercharge," "supersonic," "white-collar," and "wonky."

In conclusion, 1919 was a year of profound contradictions and challenges for the United States. The nation emerged from the Great War with a renewed sense of global responsibility, but also with deep-seated anxieties about its own social and political stability. The events of 1919 laid bare the fault lines of American society, exposing the tensions between progress and tradition, between individual liberty and national security, and between racial equality and systemic discrimination. Despite these challenges, the year also witnessed moments of hope and progress, as Americans strived to build a more just and equitable society. 1919 serves as a reminder of the complexities of American history and the enduring struggle to live up to the nation’s ideals.