Independent Reading

Bell-ringer Write a one paragraph response to this political cartoon from the 1920s.

The 1920s The color red = associated with communism. In 1917 the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian Czar. Then, they formed the USSR which was based on communist beliefs. The First Red Scare = People in the U.S. began to become afraid of a communist revolution in America. This led the public to begin accusing union leaders, advocates for laborers, and immigrants; causing many of them to be forced to leave the country (or go to jail).

The 1920s The Palmer Raids = – Anarchists attempted to assassinate John D. Rockefeller and Attorney General Palmer. – People blamed communism. – Palmer authorized “raids” where people suspected to be involved were arrested and jailed. – Many of them didn’t even commit any crimes. Warren Harding = Harding was elected president in People wanted to “return to normalcy” after World War I. Harding followed isolationism again.

The 1920s Harding was popular until 1923 when the Teapot Dome scandal broke out. (Basically Harding gave oil rights to a company in exchange for bribes). In this year, his administration was revealed to be extremely corrupt. They had many graft scandals and took bribes and illegal gifts. Laissez-faire economics = free market economics! Calvin Coolidge = the president who followed Harding. He was very pro-business and endorsed laissez-faire economics.

Document A Questions 1.) Who is Mrs. Sparks and why does she care about what is taught in schools? 2.) What is Mrs. Sparks referring to when she says “these times of materialism”? 3.) Find all of the words that suggest the presence of a great danger. Why might Mrs. Sparks believe that evolution is such a threat?

Document B Questions 1.) The audience in the courthouse mostly supported Bryan and the Butler Act. Why do you think they applauded Malone’s speech? 2.) Why does Malone think science is so important? 3.) What is Malone referring to when he says “civilization is not so proud of the work of the adults”?

Document C Questions 1.) What words does Straton use to show that he likes small towns? 2.) According to Straton, what are the signs of corruption in New York and Chicago?

Document D Questions 1.) What was New York City like in the 1920s? Why might the New York Times look down on Dayton, Tennessee? 2.) How does the New York Times describe the local Tennesseans? What words can you find that show that the New York Times thinks of these people and events as bizarre and interesting?

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