Key Events and Context of 1920

1920 Post-War Turmoil
- Aftermath of WWI causing global unrest.
- Bolsheviks fighting for power in Russia.
- Poland achieving independence.
Britain and the US
- Prince of Wales visited the US, greeted by crowds.
- Reviewed cadets at West Point.
Boston Legal Situation
- Sacco and Vanzetti tried for robbery and murder.
- Accusations seen as scapegoating amid US unrest.

Socioeconomic Conditions

Industrial Growth
- Late 19th and early 20th-century rapid industrialization.
- Mass European immigration to US cities.
- Poor living and working conditions for many immigrants.
Labor Unrest
- Widespread strikes and demonstrations for better conditions, leading to violence.
Political Climate
- Fear of communism and anarchism.
- June 1919: US Attorney General Palmer's home bombed.
- Palmer's crackdown on suspected subversives.

Initial Arrest and Charges
- Arrested May 5, 1920; charged with possession of anarchist literature and weapons.
- Accusation stemmed from April 15 South Braintree robbery/murder case.
Background of Sacco and Vanzetti
- Sacco: skilled shoemaker, family man, involved in worker causes.
- Vanzetti: former pastry chef, laborer, political activist.
- Both fled to Mexico in 1917 to avoid WWI conscription.
Legal Proceedings
- Relation to anarchism used against them in court.
- Trial highlighted societal fears rather than evidence.
- Found guilty despite lack of solid evidence.

Protests and Support
- Immediate national and international protests.
- Legal appeals consistently denied.
Confession and Final Appeals
- 1925: Convicted murderer confessed to being part of the crime.
- Massachusetts authorities rejected new evidence.
Execution and Aftermath
- Executed on August 22, 1927.
- Continued protests and efforts to clear their names.

1977 Exoneration
- Massachusetts Governor Dukakis issued a proclamation removing stigma from their names.
- Recognition of miscarriages of justice.