USHC Standard 6: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the conflict between traditionalism and progressivism in the 1920s and the economic collapse and the political response to the economic crisis in the 1930s. USHC 6.2: Explain the causes and effects of the social change and conflict between traditional and modern culture that took place during the 1920s, including the role of women, the “Red Scare”, the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, immigration quotas, Prohibition, and the Scopes trial.

In the 1920’s, America was divided by the trauma of change Not everyone experienced prosperity The social changes were the result of industrialization, immigration, and urbanization By 1920 more than half of the American population lived in cities Increasing emphasis on science and the experiences of the war years contributed to social change The result of these changes was often social conflict between traditional American conservatism and modern scientific liberalism.

THE RED SCARE In the postwar period, high inflation, competition from returning veterans and the end of war time concessions to workers led to labor unrest Causes of the Red Scare: Growing socialist movement in Europe Bombs Anarchist bombs exploding in 8 American cities in 1919 Fear caused by workers’ strikes and bolshevism

Palmer Raids The U.S. Attorney General, A. Mitchell Palmer, hoped to gain public support for a bid for presidency in 1920 The federal government, under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover, arrested 4,000 alleged communists 600 were deported Palmer predicted a series of anarchist attacks that never happened, so he was discredited He did arouse feelings of nativism and feelings against dangerous foreigners Nativism: the policy of protecting the interests of native inhabitants against those of immigrants

Ku Klux Klan Anti-immigrant sentiment became part of the rationale for a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920’s In 1915, the movie, Birth of a Nation aroused racist sentiments against African Americans The Red Scare and the Sacco Vanzetti trial added radicals, immigrants and Catholics to the list of groups targeted by the Klan The Klan also used advertisements and business organizations to promote membership It was a national organization, with strong followings in small towns of the Midwest and the South

Ku Klux Klan of the 1920’s: The Klan of the 1920’s adopted a modern business recruiting system, and they rapidly grew nationally The Klan preached Americanism and purification of politics They concentrated on racism, anti-Catholicism, anti- Communism, nativism, and antisemitism (hatred of Jews) They considered themselves moral regulators, targeting bootleggers and gamblers with cross burnings, public beatings and lynching Klan leaders involved in sex scandals and corruption undermined these claims to moral leadership The Klan eventually faded from public view

As anti-immigrant sentiment turned to xenophobia, it resulted in the passage of immigrant quotas in the National Origin Act of 1924 Xenophobia: an unreasonable fear of strangers or foreigners The National Origin Act of 1924 was supported by Social Darwinism and Anglo-Saxonism, and was a goal of conservatives since the end of the 19 th century Under the act, immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe was limited, and Asians were barred entirely

Prohibition The 18 th Amendment prohibited the sale and distribution of alcohol, but not its consumption Causes of Prohibition: Anti-German sentiment from WWI Grain shortages during the war years The temperance movement had been advocating prohibition for years in order to preserve American culture in the face of immigration

Prohibition Illegal sources filled the demands for alcohol and speakeasies were established in cities and ethnic communities Speakeasies: a saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during Prohibition. Neither the federal or local governments had the manpower to stop this illegal trade or the organized crime that grew as a result of the bootlegging business NASCAR: originated with moonshiners and bootleggers trying to escape the police The 21 st amendment passed in 1933 repealed the 18 th amendment and ended prohibition

Religion vs. Science A revival movement in the early 1900’s led to the development of religious fundamentalism This was a belief in the literal truth of the Bible Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution changed that belief Scopes Trial: also known as the Monkey Trial; resulted from a Tennessee law forbidding the teaching of evolution in public schools A young biology teacher purposefully broke the law, in order to go to trial He was arrested and defended by the American Civil Liberties Union The teacher was fined, but both sides believed they had won the argument; the debate continues today

Conservatives vs. Liberals Conservatives of the 1920’s: Strong laws and restrictions against immigration Prohibition Religious fundamentalism and a ban on modern science in schools Liberals of the 1920’s: Civil rights Radical politics (socialism, communism) Less restriction on immigration Darwinism and modern science

Conservatives vs. Liberals The conflict between social conservatives who advocate conformity to a traditional moral code and liberals who advocate individual rights took place in the 1920’s and continue today. Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life Gay marriage Stem cell research Religion in public schools and government supported businesses “In God We Trust” “One Nation, Under God” Pepsi Prayer in schools

Please sit in your assigned seats and quietly follow the directions below: Pick two of the following topics and explain what you learned about them yesterday. Women Crime Fashion Music Entertainment (movies) Cars Sports

Writing Assignment Quiz “Pick a side; conservative vs. liberal (or both). Explain 3 of the social conflicts that arose during the 1920’s, and 3 of the social conflicts that are present today.” Include: Which side you agree with and why Why you agree with each of the conflicts you choose Why you disagree with the opposite position of each of the conflicts you choose Use FACTS to back up your opinion You can use your notes, textbook and the EOC workbook to help This paper should be AT LEAST one page

Rules for the Debate: 1.Share your opinion in an intelligent, respectful way. 2.Do not talk down to anyone (calling others stupid, calling their opinions stupid, interrupting, giggling, etc.) 3.DO NOT NAME CALL.