Social & Cultural Tensions Chapter 7 Section 3

Lecture Focus Question How did Americans differ on major social and cultural issues during the 1920’s?

Traditionalism vs. Modernism Split between urban and rural communities Urban areas New consumer products & leisure activities Questioning of traditional values Openness toward social change Modernism: growing trend that emphasized science and secular values over traditional ideas about religion Rural areas embraced traditional views of religion, science, and culture

Importance of Education Rural Areas Master 3 R’s Knowledge of crops and animals were more important that “book learning” Urban Areas Mental ability was seen as essential for success Emphasis on mastery of math and languages

Clash Over Evolution Fundamentalism: belief that the Bible is literally true, no errors Strong in rural areas Scopes Trial: Tennessee schoolteacher tried for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution in public school Bryan vs. Darrow Clash between rural and urban areas played out in court

The New KKK Attempted to turn back the clock to what they saw as simpler and better times Still targeted African Americans Also targeted Jews, Catholics, immigrants, lawbreakers → immorality “The Invisible Empire” 4 to 5 million members “Grand Dragon,” “Imperial Wizard”

“The Noble Experiment” 18th Amendment: Prohibition Main goals: Eliminate drunkenness that resulted in abuse Eliminate prostitution and gambling Volstead Act: enforced the 18th amendment “Dry’s” vs. “Wet’s” Bootlegger: supplier of illegal alcohol Speakeasies: bars operating illegally Led to a rise in organized crime

Prohibition & Crime Bootlegging became a complex operation Local gangsters began joining forces Gang wars and murder became commonplace

Lecture Focus Question How did Americans differ on major social and cultural issues during the 1920’s?