1. Chapter 17 Part 3 traditionalists VS. MODERNISTS
A Clash of Values
Chapter 17 Part 3
traditionalists VS. MODERNISTS

2. A New Surge of Nativism
In the 1920’s, Urban Americans celebrated the new “Modern” culture but, rural Americans thought traditional society & values were under attack.
After WWI and at the very beginning of the 1920’s, a slight recession, influx of immigrants, and cultural tensions led to intolerance.
Nativism- racism & dislike of immigrants by “native-born” Americans.
During WWI, immigration to the US declined but, after the War, an increased number of immigrants from Southern & Eastern Europe came to the US.
US citizens blamed immigrants for the increased labor strikes, bombings, and lack of jobs immediately after WWI.
The Sacco-Vanzetti Case ( )
One of the best examples of nativism post WWI
Two Italian immigrants arrested for a robbery & murder of two shoe factory employees in Mass.
US newspapers reported that Sacco & Vanzetti were anarchists & that Sacco owned a gun similar to one used in the crime.
Both were found guilty & executed in 1927.

3. The KLAN Resurges
The KKK or Klan was at the forefront pushing the government to restrict immigration. The KKK formed after the Civil War to intimidate freed African-Americans.
In the 1920’s, the Klan also focused hatred on: Catholics, Jews, immigrants.
The Klan also disliked anything or anyone that viewed as ”Un-American”
This “new” Klan founder was William J. Simmons of Georgia.
Wanted to advance white, Protestant civilization and ”Americanism”.
Simmons' hired Advertising agents to promote the Klan= membership grew in the 1920’s.
By the late 1920’s, membership began to decline due to scandals in the Klan.
‘KEEP AMERICA AMERICAN”--SLOGAN

4. Controlling Immigration
As many Americans became more nativist in the 1920’s, even many business leaders wanted to restrict immigration.
The Emergency Quota Act (1921):
This law limited immigration
Allowed only 3% of any ethnic group (Jews, Poles, Czech) in who was already in the US.
Important: now immigration would be based on ethnicity & national origins.
The National Origins Act (1924)
Made restrictions on immigration to the US PERMANENT
MORE strict than Emergency Quota Act.
Reduced the number from 3% to 2% of any ethnic group in the US based on the 1890 Census (there was less ethnic variety in 1890).
Favored Immigrants from Northwestern Europe (mostly white Anglo).
Exempted immigrants from South America & Canada.
By the end of the 1920’s—700,000 Mexican immigrants had migrated to the US to work in agriculture, mines, and railroads.

5. A Clash of Cultures
Many groups who wanted to limit immigration also wanted to preserve what they considered TRADITIONAL VALUES.
Fear of the “NEW MORALITY” of the 1920’s which favored youth & personal freedom.
Women in the 1920’s
The 19th Amendment (1920) – gave women the right to vote.
Many women wanted to break free from traditional roles & behaviors.
Women now were looking for love, romance, pleasure, & friendship in marriage.
Topics of conversation became more sexualized (Sigmund Freud)
Cars allowed young people “go out” away from watchful parents.
More women were taking jobs due to family necessity= work gave some women economic independence.
Young women wore their hair ‘Bobbed”, wore flesh colored silk stockings, and short dresses= THE ”FLAPPER” was a young girl who smoked, wore short skirts, drank prohibited alcohol.
Professional Women Make Advancements
Florence Sabin —her research led to drop in TB death rates.
Margaret Sanger- advocated the use of birth control & founded American Birth Control League (now called Planned Parenthood).
1920’s- 1930’s: use of birth control increased.

6. Fundamentalism
Americans who embraced TRADITIONAL VALUES and Ways of Life feared the New Morality was changing America.
Fundamentalism was strong in rural (outside of cities)areas among Protestants.
Fundamentalists believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible and it had no error.
Religious fundamentalist preachers gained popularity in the 1920’s by using non-traditional methods.
Billy Sunday- former pro baseball player who became a preacher; filled stadiums with fiery sermons and showmanship.
Aimee Semple McPherson – a female preacher who led religious meetings and faith healings in L.A. using theatrics, stage sets, and costumes.
The Scopes Trial (1925)
Show down between creationist (Fundamentalists) and evolutionists (supporters of teaching evolution).
John Scopes (Tenn. Teacher) was arrested for teaching evolution.
8 days of Trial held in Dayton, Tenn.
William Jennings Bryan (prosecutor & Fundamentalist) vs. Defense attorney Clarence Darrow.
Scopes found guilty & charged $100 but, later conviction was overturned.

7. Prohibition
Many Americans were pushing for a total prohibition on alcohol as WWI ended.
Why Prohibit Alcohol?
Religious reasons, reduce unemployment, reduce domestic violence, & poverty.
Prohibition is Enacted
18th Amendment (1920)- officially banned the sale, manufacture, & drinking of alcohol.
The Volstead Act – gave the US Treasury Department (part of the US Government) authority to enforce 18th Amendment. (increase in Federal police powers).
Enforcement was Ineffective
The Treasury Dept. made over 500,000 arrests
Americans broke the law anyway.
“Speakeasies” – secret bars mostly in cities that sold illegal alcohol (NY had 32,000 alone!)
“Bootlegging” – making alcohol illegally; popular in rural areas and transported to cities.
Organized Crime– thrived in the 1920’s smuggling illegal liquor from Canada to the US
Al Capone (Chicago gangster)—one of the most successful gangsters; paid off police, judges, and politicians—later arrested by Elliot Ness (Treasury Dept.).
70 Federal agents killed enforcing Prohibition.
21st Amendment (1933)-OFFICIALLY ENDED PROHIBITION.