Sacco and Vanzetti: “The Case That Will Not Die”

In 2011, Theodore Grippo, a retired Chicago lawyer who worked for more than 50 years in law enforcement and private practice, published his book, With Malice Aforethought: The Execution of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. Grippo’s book reexamines a case that has historically been depicted in high school texts as a miscarriage of justice. While uniquely detailing the historical context of the Sacco and Vanzetti case, Grippo also adeptly reveals fresh, new evidence that further exonerates the two Italian anarchist immigrants who, he claims, were unjustly executed in 1927. I recently interviewed author Grippo, and he eloquently and persuasively explained the urgency for high school (and older) students to continue to study the Sacco and Vanzetti story as well as how to relate it to important current events of today.

Why is it Relevant Today?

According to Grippo, the broad reason why the Sacco and Vanzetti story is, and should still be, studied today is best encapsulated in the words of American writer and critic Edmund Wilson. Wilson stated that the Sacco and Vanzetti ordeal “reveals the whole anatomy of American life with all its classes, professions, and points of view … and it raised almost every fundamental question of our political and social system.” Going further than that, in relating how the 1920’s era connects to America today, Grippo detailed that “the Sacco and Vanzetti trial touched on the battle of the American labor movement, the clash of capitalism and socialism, and the exploitation of immigrants seeking acceptance and equality in 1920 America. And most important, it demonstrated the imperfections of the criminal justice system during the 1920s. Some of those imperfections are still with us today and need correction.” The Sacco-Vanzetti trial has been called by Herbert Ehrmann, their co-appellate counsel, “the case that will not die.” Grippo also explained that, “the Sacco-Vanzetti case illuminates today’s issues of immigration, terrorism, war and the administration of criminal justice. Those issues were as paramount in the 1920s as they are today. That’s why the Sacco-Vanzetti case has had continued vitality.”

Having researched the case for seven years, Grippo knows the Sacco and Vanzetti story well. Therefore, any current lessons involving the Sacco and Vanzetti case should include the ground-breaking evidence that he published in With Malice Aforethought. Grippo discloses and examines new documents and other recently discovered evidence that supports a conspiracy to frame the two men.

Bringing Attention to Civil Rights Matters

Interestingly enough, at the time, millions had made up their own minds that Sacco and Vanzetti were innocent and rallied to their defense. In the eyes of many Americans and people around the world during that era, Sacco and Vanzetti were believed to be framed and executed because of their political beliefs and/or immigrant status. According to Grippo, “Millions of workers and civil-rights activists became mobilized in America and many parts of the world following the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti. Also, “The case stimulated the union movement and advanced the cause of workers’ rights. It also brought attention to the treatment of prisoners and unfair criminal trial procedures.”

Further current issues that Grippo suggests could be studied in conjunction with the Sacco and Vanzetti case are:

• The “99 Percent” movement of today is somewhat similar to the claims of the “have-nots” of the 1920’s.

• The efforts of the unions today to extend their representation of workers are similar to the union efforts to represent workers during the 1920’s.

• The work of organizations like Northwestern University Law School’s Center on Wrongful Convictions and the Innocence Project of other law schools today is like the efforts of the defense appellate counsel and the many groups that helped defend Sacco and Vanzetti.

• Pro and con immigration organizations of today had their counterparts during the early decades of the 20th Century.

In an online review, Judge Andrew P. Napolitano, a current Fox News Channel political and legal analyst, wrote that Grippo’s With Malice Aforethought: The Execution of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti is one of the most memorable books of 2011.  In conclusion, I, and many others, recommend utilizing this book as a resource for any Sacco and Vanzetti lesson. Additionally, you might want to refer to some of these lesson plans that specifically serve as starting points to a more thorough interdisciplinary project-based approach to the Sacco and Vanzetti case, as well as the 1920’s era.

Lesson Plans:

The Jury's Still Out

Examine the trial and executions of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. In groups, use the internet to research the impact of the executions in the shape of political cartoons and writings. Also, discuss an article based on the anniversary of their deaths.

Safety or Civil Liberty? The Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti

Investigate the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and develop a basic understanding of the issues involved. Then assign an essay taking a stance on the Sacco-Vanzetti trial: was the trial fair? Were the two men falsely accused? Finally, use class time to create a mock re-trial of the case. 

The Roaring 20's

An introduction to the social, economic and political developments of the 1920s. Using historical developments that are part of the indicator, your class can create a three-dimensional graphic organizer.

Live from Channel 22

Explore 1920s America. In this American history lesson, research primary and secondary sources in order to examine the events and noteworthy people of the time period. Your class can use their research findings to create radio news programs.