Aim: Why were the 1920’s an era of conflicting values?

“The New Woman” Flappers dance Women played an important role in jobs in WWI – but they are forced out of their jobs after “Flappers” represented changes in values Short hair, short skirts, heavier makeup, listened to jazz music, openly drank and smoked cigarettes Flappers dance

Women’s changing identity… “Flappers” rebelled against traditional customs Divorce rates doubled Many women still looked forward to lives as a mother and a wife… “I have been kissed by dozens of men. I suppose I’ll kiss dozens more.” — character in F. Scott Fitzgerald novel

DISCUSSION: “The New Woman” Turn and Talk to the person next to you about the following: How do you think flappers defined the “New Woman”? Were flappers really very different from the women before them? Discuss the term “double standard”. How was there a double standard in the 1920’s? Explain. Double standard = a rule or principle that is unfairly applied in different ways to different people or groups. Is there a double standard in today’s times? Explain.

City Life in the 20’s The shift in focus from the rural countryside revealed that urban life was very different, and the traditional ways of home, church, schools were absent… The 1920 census revealed for the 1st time that more Americans lived in cities than the countryside The New York City skyline in 1930: Skyscrapers gave cities a unique architectural style

Traditionalists/Fundamentalists vs. Modernists A CULTURAL WAR! TAKE A PIC! Traditionalists/ Fundamentalists Modernists Excited by the new music, cars, movies, dancing, and literature Women/girls are especially fond of the 1920s as make-up, clothing, style are radically different from before. Education = SCIENCE/SECULAR VALUES Fear that the “new” culture of the 1920s is corrupting Americas youth & society as a whole Young people should turn back to the Bible, God, and traditional family values Mostly RURAL areas Education = BIBLE

The Butler Law – State of Tennessee March 13, 1925 Section 1. Be it enacted…That it shall be unlawful for any teacher in any of the Universities and all other public schools of the State which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals. Section 2. Be it further enacted…any teacher found guilty of the violation of this Act, Shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Hundred $ (100.00) Dollars nor more than Five Hundred ($ 500.00) Dollars for each offense. In your notebook: What do you think is the PURPOSE of the document above?

A New Education? Protestant Fundamentalism growing 1925 – Tennessee passed a law making it a crime to teach evolution in schools Scopes “Monkey” Trial – puts religion against science

Scopes “Monkey” Trial While you watch: What were the causes and results of the Scopes Monkey Trial? VIDEO “THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY” John Scopes (TN school science teacher) taught the theory of evolution to his students Scopes was found guilty, but conviction was overturned by a higher court…

Clash of the Titans Clarence Darrow Wm. Jennings Bryan Agnostic Fundamentalist

What do you think is the purpose of this cartoon? Dayton reveled in the publicity that came with the “trial of the century.”  Charles Darwin had theorized only that man and apes had a common ancestor, not that man had descended from apes. This popular misconception gave rise to a flurry of monkey-themed songs, dolls, and souvenirs.  The Dayton Hotel placed a gorilla display in its lobby, and a trained chimpanzee named Joe Mendi entertained spectators around town.  Book, food, and souvenir vendors vied with local clergy and itinerant preachers for space outside the courthouse.

Scopes Trial The trial put religion against science and tested the notion of “separation of church and state.” (this idea is NOT written in the Constitution but has been a general principle that has existed throughout the history of the USA. Thomas Jefferson first coined the idea.) Discuss the following questions with the person next to you: Are there any present issues that challenge “separation of church and state” in our country? Evaluate the role, if any, that you believe religion should play in American politics/government. Support your answer with as many reasons that you can think of .

The law strikes back in the cities

A New Wave of Crime VIDEO Prohibition begins 1920 Speakeasies and Bootleggers Organized crime (mafia) grows (and grows MORE!) VIDEO

Was prohibition really working?? Per capita consumption of alcohol (1910-1929) Was prohibition really working??

Prohibition Discuss the following questions with your pair partner: What were the goals of Prohibition? Did the 18th Amendment solve more problems than it created? Why or why not? Why do you think Prohibition was so difficult to enforce?