1. Old vs. New in America
The 1920’s
Chap. 12 & 13

2. Rural vs. Urban
For the first time more Americans lived in the cities than in the country.
With city life came many changes that worried older, rural people
City dwellers help different views on drinking, gambling, and casual dating.

3. Worrisome Developments
Jazz music
Suggestive dances
Revealing dresses
Changes in dating practices
Women smoking
New inventions
Cars that are easier to drive
Radios
Electric appliances

4. The Fight for America Decade of internal conflict
Throughout the 1920’s there was a conflict between people who embraced the new culture and city life and people who resisted the change.
They clashed over issues that included:
Alcohol
Religion and Science
Immigration
Politics
Labor

5. The fight against Alcohol
Conservatives had fought to ban Alcohol
Prohibition was enacted in 1919, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.
Many immigrants and city dwellers resisted and resented Prohibition.

6. Religion vs. Science
Religion was at the center of the debate over a changing America
Fundamentalism believed in a literal interpretation of the bible.
They often fought scientific theories that went against the bible.

7. The Scopes “Monkey” Trial
John Scopes, a biology teacher in Dayton TN, challenged a state law banning the teaching of evolution.
The ACLU defended Scopes and provided Clarence Darrow as his defense attorney. William Jennings Bryan was the prosecutor.
Scopes was guilty but the trial was more about the role of religion in education

8. The fight over Immigration
After WWI, a wave of Nativism spread across America
Nativism – prejudice against foreign born people
Fearful that immigrants would bring radical political ideas, many Americans wanted to close the borders.

9. The Red Scare Reds = Communist
The Red Scare was a panic that hit America after WWI.
The communist had taken over Russia
There was a real fear that Communist might try to take over the country.

10. Sacco and Vanzetti
Sacco and Vanzetti two Italian immigrants who were WWI draft dodgers and anarchist.
They were convicted of murder on circumstantial evidence.
Protest erupted because some felt they were convicted more for they political belief than hard evidence.

11. Labor loses support – Boston Police Strike
After WWI there were several notable strikes.
The Boston Police Struck for higher pay and the right to organize a union.
Massachusettes Governor, Calvin Coolidge broke the strike by using the National Guard.
The striking policemen were fired and Coolidge got national praise.

12. The Steel Strike and Coal Miners Strike
In Sept 1919, steel mill workers struck for higher wages and shorter work days.
The steel companies called the strikers communist.
Coal miners struck in They got a big raise and a lot of negative attention.

13. Raise of the KKK The KKK came back in the 1920’s in a BIG way.
They claimed to fight for traditional American values.
They added new targets, including Catholics, Jews, and immigrants.

14. KKK in Indiana
Indiana had one of the biggest Klan organizations in the nation.
The Klan was less violent and more political in Indiana.
They ran state politics in the 1920’s