The Aftermath of World War I
There were many other events that resulted in the start of World War II. The end of the first World War was a crucial piece. It fueled Germany's anger towards the Allies which ultimately escalated to an official war, World War II. World War I and it's aftermath lasted through the years 1914-1920. This adds up to approximately six years altogether. World War I was an unfinished war. Both sides signed an agreement to cease fire (also known as an armistice).
By the end of the war, the government removed control over American economy and people rapidly bought out food that was rationed during the war time. It resulted in rapid inflation. Around three thousand to four thousand strikes erupted because of inflation. As a result of this, people demanded higher paying wages. One of the most famous strikes was during 1919, in Boston. It consisted of 75% of the people of the police force who walked off and quit their jobs, refusing to work. Unfortunately, the strike didn't work out very well for all of these people. "When the strikers tried to return to work, the police commissioner refused to accept them. He hired a new police force instead" (Appleby, Brinkley, Broussard, McPherson, Ritchie 391).
Although African Americans and white Americans had fought together in the war, when they came back home, there were still racial tensions between the both of them. "Americans had become very anti-German as the war progressed, and when the Communists withdrew Russia from the war they seemed to be helping Germany. Americans' anger at Germany quickly expanded into anger at Communists as well." (Appleby, Brinkley, Broussard, McPherson, Ritchie 393). As the Americans' hatred towards Germany thickened, so did their hatred towards Communists (as they were both associated with each other).
During the Red Scare, Communists were especially feared when a highly respected man known as Joseph McCarthy claimed that he was able to produce to everyone a list that had contained all the names of Communists working in the government. Although he was never actually able to show anyone his list, the people were still terrified that Communists were running the United States government. They were afraid of this happening because if Communists were able to make their way into the government, people believed that there were many German spies who might be able to do this exact same thing too.
By the end of the war, the government removed control over American economy and people rapidly bought out food that was rationed during the war time. It resulted in rapid inflation. Around three thousand to four thousand strikes erupted because of inflation. As a result of this, people demanded higher paying wages. One of the most famous strikes was during 1919, in Boston. It consisted of 75% of the people of the police force who walked off and quit their jobs, refusing to work. Unfortunately, the strike didn't work out very well for all of these people. "When the strikers tried to return to work, the police commissioner refused to accept them. He hired a new police force instead" (Appleby, Brinkley, Broussard, McPherson, Ritchie 391).
Although African Americans and white Americans had fought together in the war, when they came back home, there were still racial tensions between the both of them. "Americans had become very anti-German as the war progressed, and when the Communists withdrew Russia from the war they seemed to be helping Germany. Americans' anger at Germany quickly expanded into anger at Communists as well." (Appleby, Brinkley, Broussard, McPherson, Ritchie 393). As the Americans' hatred towards Germany thickened, so did their hatred towards Communists (as they were both associated with each other).
During the Red Scare, Communists were especially feared when a highly respected man known as Joseph McCarthy claimed that he was able to produce to everyone a list that had contained all the names of Communists working in the government. Although he was never actually able to show anyone his list, the people were still terrified that Communists were running the United States government. They were afraid of this happening because if Communists were able to make their way into the government, people believed that there were many German spies who might be able to do this exact same thing too.