Rural Response to the Rural Response to the New Urban Culture of New Urban Culture of

the 1920sthe 1920s

Cultural ConflictCultural Conflict► 1. With Farmers going to cities, Blacks leaving the 1. With Farmers going to cities, Blacks leaving the

South, and immigrants coming to America, more people South, and immigrants coming to America, more people begin to live in cities than in the country by the 1920s.begin to live in cities than in the country by the 1920s.

► 2. Cultural changes—hedonism, flappers, etc. 2. Cultural changes—hedonism, flappers, etc.

► 1 & 2 cause a backlash from rural (small-town) white 1 & 2 cause a backlash from rural (small-town) white Protestants who prefer conservative “traditional” values.Protestants who prefer conservative “traditional” values.

► They feel anxiety (their way of life/values are under They feel anxiety (their way of life/values are under attack).attack).

► North East vs. The South & West.North East vs. The South & West.

The Rise of the “New” KKKThe Rise of the “New” KKK► A 2A 2ndnd version of the KKK emerges. version of the KKK emerges.

► New version is not just in South and New version is not just in South and aimed at keeping blacks down.aimed at keeping blacks down.

► ““New” KKK seeks to preserve New” KKK seeks to preserve traditional White Protestant Values.traditional White Protestant Values.

► Besides blacks, now against Besides blacks, now against Catholics, Jews, immigrants, Catholics, Jews, immigrants, modernism, and people deemed modernism, and people deemed immoral. immoral.

► Spreads outside the South to all Spreads outside the South to all states.states.

► Elects politicians.Elects politicians.

ProhibitionProhibition

► Progressive were for it Progressive were for it because of the negative because of the negative effects on families.effects on families.

► Many rural Americans for it Many rural Americans for it because they associate because they associate drinking with immigrants drinking with immigrants (Irish and German), the rich & (Irish and German), the rich & city people.city people.

► 1818thth Amendment (1919) Amendment (1919)

► Volstead Act (1920)—Calls for Volstead Act (1920)—Calls for enforcement of prohibition.enforcement of prohibition.

Impact of ProhibitionImpact of Prohibition

► Impossible to enforce--People still wanted to drink.Impossible to enforce--People still wanted to drink.

► BootleggersBootleggers—people who made sold and/or —people who made sold and/or transported illegal liquor.transported illegal liquor.

► SpeakeasiesSpeakeasies—Clubs where liquor was sold.—Clubs where liquor was sold.

► Some illegal alcohol is harmful.Some illegal alcohol is harmful.

► Rise of organized crime.Rise of organized crime.

GangsGangs

► Gangsters existed before Gangsters existed before prohibition, but selling prohibition, but selling illegal booze is what made illegal booze is what made them rich and powerful.them rich and powerful.

► Violence—gang wars.Violence—gang wars.

► Also involved in drugs and Also involved in drugs and prostitution.prostitution.

► Most famous is “Scarface” Most famous is “Scarface” Al Capone of Chicago.Al Capone of Chicago.

Restrictions on ImmigrationRestrictions on Immigration

► New Immigration Law is passed in 1921.New Immigration Law is passed in 1921.

► Aimed at keeping out “New “ immigrants from Aimed at keeping out “New “ immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe.Eastern and Southern Europe.

► Quota system based on 3% of those already in US.Quota system based on 3% of those already in US.

► 1924 National Origins Act—Reduced the number of 1924 National Origins Act—Reduced the number of immigrants again and excluded Asians altogether.immigrants again and excluded Asians altogether.

► By the end of the decade, there were fewer By the end of the decade, there were fewer immigrants coming to the US then ever before.immigrants coming to the US then ever before.

Rural ReligionRural Religion► Fundamentalism—belief in the Fundamentalism—belief in the

literal truth of the Bible was literal truth of the Bible was popular in small town America.popular in small town America.

► They felt that their beliefs were They felt that their beliefs were under attack by the new urban under attack by the new urban culture.culture.

► They denounce Darwin’s Theory They denounce Darwin’s Theory and Modernismand Modernism

► Modern evangelists begin using Modern evangelists begin using show business techniques & show business techniques & radio to reach large audiences.radio to reach large audiences.

► Aimee Semple McPherson raised Aimee Semple McPherson raised over $1.5 million in just 2-years.over $1.5 million in just 2-years.

The Scopes TrialThe Scopes Trial► 1925—Tennessee state law prohibits teaching anything other than 1925—Tennessee state law prohibits teaching anything other than

creationism (i.e.- no evolution).creationism (i.e.- no evolution).

► ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union—an organization created to ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union—an organization created to defend people’s constitutional rights in response to the red scaredefend people’s constitutional rights in response to the red scare) ) gets John Scopes to challenge law by teaching evolution.gets John Scopes to challenge law by teaching evolution.

► Sets up a court showdown.Sets up a court showdown.

► Clarence Darrow, one of the most famous lawyers of the time, is the Clarence Darrow, one of the most famous lawyers of the time, is the lawyer for Scopes.lawyer for Scopes.

► Former Populist William Jennings Bryan testifies for the prosecution Former Populist William Jennings Bryan testifies for the prosecution as an expert on the Bible.as an expert on the Bible.

► Trial is broadcast on Radio.Trial is broadcast on Radio.

► Trial shows the cultural tension that existed in the 1920s between Trial shows the cultural tension that existed in the 1920s between modernism and traditional values. modernism and traditional values.

Clarence Darrow & William Clarence Darrow & William Jennings BryanJennings Bryan

ReviewReview► What were the author’s of the 20’s known a and what were What were the author’s of the 20’s known a and what were

the characteristics of their work?the characteristics of their work?

► What accounted for the cultural tension that existed in the What accounted for the cultural tension that existed in the 1920s? Who didn’t like the modern culture that was emerging 1920s? Who didn’t like the modern culture that was emerging and why? How was this tension reflected geographically?and why? How was this tension reflected geographically?

► What accounted for the rise of the “new” KKK and how were What accounted for the rise of the “new” KKK and how were they different than the “old” KKK?they different than the “old” KKK?

► What was the impact of prohibition on America?What was the impact of prohibition on America?

► What was the Scopes Trial and how was it emblematic of the What was the Scopes Trial and how was it emblematic of the cultural tension that existed in the 1920s?cultural tension that existed in the 1920s?

Aimee Semple McPhersonAimee Semple McPherson