The 1920’s Unit 6

Theory of Evolution Plant and animal species had developed and changed over millions of years – Humans evolved from apes

Scope’s Trial March 1925, Tennessee passed the nation’s 1 st law that made it a crime to teach evolution – American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) promised to defend any teacher who challenged the law John Scopes Young biology teacher arrested for reading a passage from Civil Biology

Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan ACLU hired trial lawyer to defend Scopes Argued against William Jennings Bryan – 3-time Dem. Candidate for president – Devout fundamentalist – Special prosecutor

Scopes Trial Fight over evolution and the role of science and religion in public schools and in American society

Scopes Trial Began July 10, 1925 National sensation – Judge had to move the proceedings outside because of the crowds – Darrow called Bryan as an expert on the Bible; caught Bryan on the question “Do you think the earth was made in six days.”

Scopes Trial Bryan’s answer admitted that the Bible might be interpreted in different ways Scopes was found guilty and fine $100 TN Supreme Court changed the verdict later on a technicality

KKK The second KKK flourished nationwide in the early and mid 1920s Starting in 1921, it adopted a modern business system of recruiting and grew rapidly nationwide at a time of prosperity

KKK membership grew most rapidly in cities demanded the purification of politics, calling for strict morality and better enforcement of prohibition At its peak in the mid- 1920s, the organization claimed to include about 15% of the nation's eligible population, approximately 4–5 million men

Prohibition Banning the production, sale, and distribution of alcohol Pushed by the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement – Fear alcohol was undermining American morals – led to corruption

Prohibition January 1920 – 18 th Amendment – Manufacture, sale, transportation of alcoholic beverages were legally prohibited – Support came largely from the rural south and the west; Native born Protestants

Prohibition Was really targeted at immigrants – Irish, Germans – Saw no problem with drinking – Used to celebrate

Volstead Act Established the Prohibition Bureau in the Treasury Dept (1919) – Tracked down illegal stills – Monitored highway for truckloads of illegal alcohol

Speakeasies Hidden saloons and nightclubs – Penthouses, cellars, office buildings, rooming houses, tenements, hardware stores, tea rooms – Present a card or use password to get in

Bootleggers Smugglers of alcohol – From Canada, Cuba, and West Indies – Named for the practice of smuggling alcohol in boots

Organized Crime Product of Prohibition Used bootlegging and speakeasies to make a profit – Led to violent competition – New York, Atlantic City, Chicago

Organized Crime Al Capone – Chicago – Made $60 million a year bootlegging – Was finally arrested on tax evasion Prohibition was repealed in 1933 with the 21 St Amendment

Women in the 1920’s Flappers – Emancipated young women who embraced new fashions and urban attitudes of the day – Wore close-fitting felt hats, bright waistless dresses an inch above the knee, skin-toned silk stockings, sleek pumps, strings of beads

Women in the 1920’s Cut their hair to boyish bobs Changing attitudes of women – Smoked cigarettes, drank in public, talked publically about sex – Danced – Viewed marriage as an equal partnership

Young people in the 1920’s Magazines, newspapers, ads promoted flappers Young people discussed dating – Casual dating became more acceptable – Loosened morals, double standards

Radio KDKA in Pittsburgh was the 1 st commercial radio station News, entertainment, ads Radio dance parties

Movies The Jazz Singer – 1 st major movie with sound (1927) Steamboat Willie – 1 st animated movie with sound (1928)

Sports Babe Ruth breaks the homerun record Gertrude Elderle swims the English Channel National Football League is formed

Crazes Flagpole sitting Dance marathons The PB & J sandwich Red lipstick Betty Boop PEZ Reece’s peanut butter cups Phone booth stuffing