Unit 4: WWI and the “Roaring 20’s” 4-3: The Roaring Twenties Culture Wars

Fundamentalism vs. Modernism – Pg. 111 The 1920’s was a decade of changing, and clashing culture Cities were becoming the center of changing values and customs The 19 th amendment was passed in 1920, which gave women the right to vote—ADD TO NOTES Also, women found it easier to be more assertive, drinking and even smoking in public They sometimes went out to nightclubs for dancing and socializing wearing loose fitting, straight simple dresses or skirts that extended to their knees—these women were known as “flappers” They were rebelling against the very restrictive customs and attire of the 19 th century

Jazz and the Harlem Renaissance – Pgs. 108, 113 Many urban couples would go out to these nightclubs to drink, which was illegal nationwide in 1919, thanks to the 18 th amendment, also known as Prohibition The Volstead Act, passed by Congress that same year further defined what “intoxicating liquors were (beer and wine; in addition to spirits) However, secret clubs popped up that served alcohol, and entertained patrons with a new form of music brought to northern cities Jazz was a form of music that had its roots in southern work songs, negro spirituals, and blues African American literary art also exploded in New York City at this time, in a movement known as the Harlem Renaissance – (Langston Hughes, Claude McKay were some popular writers)

Clash of Science – Pg. 108 Traditional Biblical views were also challenged by the theory of evolution The Scopes Monkey Trial highlighted this struggle John Scopes taught evolution in a Mississippi public school, in violation of state law The American Civil Liberties Union provided a lawyer to defend Scopes While Scopes was still convicted, the case received national attention, and stimulated conversation about scientific theory in the country

Fundamentalism and the backlash – Pg. 108 The Fundamentalist Movement was a cultural pushback that believed in the literal interpretation of the Bible (mainly in the south) It was a backlash to everything new that was happening in the U.S. One other negative aspect of conservative values pushing back was the re-emergence of the racist group, the Ku Klux Klan; that disliked many of the new cultural shifts in the U.S.

Comprehension Question What was the one notable negative aspect of the fundamentalist movement in the south, and describe one of the cultural developments that the fundamentalist movement was fighting against