1. In-Class DBQ – –
The Twenties

2. Question
The 1920s were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and traditional values and nostalgia on the other. What led to the tension between old and new AND in what ways was the tension manifested?

3. Remember your formatting
INTRO – thesis statement; mentioning your three subtopics
BODY PARAGRAPHS – 3 of them
1) RR Land Grants
2) Control of Interstate Commerce
3) Anti-Trust Activities
CONCLUSION – restate your main ideas; wrap up the essay

4. Document A Sinclair Lewis; Babbitt; 1922
He is talking about the average American male
He lists, essentially, the OLD – things that used to influence him – priests, senators, community leaders, Washington
Then he talks about what influences men NOW – advertised wares, new appliances
Advertising is the cause of this tension
It manifests itself through mass-produced items
O.I here – Henry Ford; the assembly line; automobiles

5. Document B “The Bridge” by Joseph Stella; 1922
This is a picture of a suspension bridge
This describes what’s new in the 20s – cities, urbanization, steel construction
America is becoming more interconnected and the American vertical city is on the rise
Cities are growing – the new
Rural areas declining – the old

6. Document C The Tennessee Evolution Case - 1925
William Jennings Bryan – prosecutor
Clarence Darrow – defense for John Scopes, who was put on trial for teaching evolution
In his arguments Darrow is essentially putting the Bible on trial
The 20s was a decade of questioning authority and the status quo
Tension here – Christian / religious America vs. new age America & separation of Church and State
It’s manifesting in legal court cases and battles

7. Document D
Hiram Wesley Evans – “The Klan’s Fight for Americanism”
The KKK – white supremacist group against minorities and immigration
He mentions the “old pioneer stock” – AKA the white Europeans that first came here
He is protesting immigration
The old – White America
The new – The American Melting Pot
O.I. – Immigration Quota Acts of 1921 and 1924; the Nativist Movement
Manifestation – Formation of anti-immigration and nativist groups; racial tensions

8. Document E
Langston Hughes – “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” – 1926
Hughes is equating the life of black people in the U.S. with Jazz.
Using symbolism and imagery, he is trying to encourage his people to embrace who they are, and not want to be white.
Black is beautiful
The OLD – privileged white America
The NEW – The American Melting Pot / African-American expression and freedom
Manifestation – racial tension; population shifts
O.I. – The Harlem Renaissance, the Great Migration

9. Document F
Mary B. Mullett – “The Biggest Thing That Lindbergh Has Done” – 1927
Not focusing on Lindbergh’s feat of flying the Atlantic, Mullett is celebrating Lindbergh’s integrity and character.
This is tension – morality vs. immorality in a celebrity culture
The New – celebrity culture – celebrities are normally celebrated for what they do not who they are
The Old – a focus and a desire for prominent men and women have a moral compass and good character

10. Document G “Women Smokers” – The New York Times - 1928
The Women’s Christian Temperance Union is on the soapbox about cigarettes
They are calling for educating people about the harmful effects of smoking
We can see two tensions here:
The old – Ignorance about substance abuse
The new – awareness about substance abuse
The old – Christian values – abstinence and moderation
The new – living it up; partying; drinking and smoking

11. Document H Marriage and Divorce – 1890-1930
Marriages begin to decline during the decade of the 20s
Divorces are on the rise
The old – monogamy; marriage; religious values
The new – promiscuity
This tension manifests itself through a rise in divorce and a decline in marriage

12. Document I Morrow Mayo – “Aimee Rises from the Sea” – 1929
The 20s has brought about an explosion in secular culture
No more hymns – it’s JAZZ
No more sad songs or fiery condemning sermons – the 20s is about FEELING GOOD.
Heaven is a cross between Pasadena, CA and Washington, D.C. – meaning in the 20s, Heaven is on earth, not someplace we should look forward to.