7.8+1920's-+Cultural+and+Political+Controversies

Topic 7.8: 1920s – Cultural and Political Controversies

Introduction

  • Dominant social and political issues illustrated divisions in society: young vs. old, modernists vs. fundamentalists, prohibitionists vs. anti-prohibitionists, nativists vs. immigrants.

Migration Patterns

  • Urbanization: By 1920, a majority of Americans lived in urban areas due to migration from rural settings in search of jobs.

Religion and Politics

Divisions Among Protestants

  • Modernism:

    • Influences: changing roles of women, Social Gospel movement, scientific advancement.

    • Modernists accepted evolution and took a critical view of biblical texts without abandoning faith.

  • Fundamentalism:

    • Opposition to modernists.

    • Fundamentalists asserted literal truth of the Bible, advocating for creationism.

    • Blamed modernism for moral decline.

Revivalism and the Radio

  • Religious Revivals:

    • 1920s saw a rise in radio evangelism with preachers like Billy Sunday and Aimee Semple McPherson using this platform.

The Scopes Trial (1925)

  • Tennessee's law banning evolution teaching led to the trial of John Scopes.

  • Prominent figures: Clarence Darrow (defense) vs. William Jennings Bryan (prosecution).

  • Outcome: Scopes was convicted; trial symbolized the clash between modernism and fundamentalism.

  • Laws against evolution teaching persisted but were rarely enforced.

  • Ongoing debate over religion in schools remains relevant.

Prohibition

The 18th Amendment and Its Impact

  • Prohibition was enacted to maintain a sober workforce and conserve grain during WWI.

  • Enforcement via the Volstead Act resulted in the rise of speakeasies and bootlegging.

  • Organized crime thrived, exemplified by figures like Al Capone.

Political Response

  • Support for Prohibition weakened due to public resentment and increased criminal activity, leading to the repeal by the 21st Amendment in 1933.

Immigration and Nativism

  • Post-WWI spike in immigration with over one million entering from 1919-1921, largely from Eastern and Southern Europe.

  • Quota Laws:

    • 1921 Act limited immigrants to 3% of the 1910 Census.

    • 1924 Act further restricted that number to 2% of 1890 Census.

    • Exempted Canadians and Latin Americans while restricting Asians, resulting in severe limitations for "undesirable" groups.

  • Sacco and Vanzetti Case (1921):

    • Italian immigrants convicted unfairly, highlighting nativist prejudices and calls for justice from liberal groups.

Rise of the Ku Klux Klan

  • Resurgence of KKK marked by nativist and anti-immigrant sentiments.

  • Utilized modern advertising, grew to 5 million members.

  • Directed hostility towards African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and others considered "un-American."

  • Employed violent tactics – cross burnings, lynching.

  • Declined after public exposure of fraud and corruption.

Arts and Literature

  • Disillusionment: Postwar authors deemed the "lost generation" criticized previous ideals.

  • Notable writers: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, T.S. Eliot.

  • Visual Arts: Edward Hopper’s exploration of urban loneliness; Grant Wood celebrated rural America.

  • Theater Change: Show Boat showcased serious themes of prejudice and race; significant contributions from Jewish immigrant composers.

Women and Family Dynamics

Changing Roles

  • 19th Amendment: Gave women the right to vote; however, they often maintained traditional roles.

  • Labor-saving devices in homes changed routines but not roles significantly.

Workforce Participation and Social Changes

  • Female participation in the workforce remained stable, concentrated in lower-paying jobs.

  • Revolution in morals challenged traditional sexual norms:

    • Shift towards premarital sex influenced by culture and Freud's theories.

    • Emergence of the flapper image as a social rebellion.

  • Increased divorce rates due to women’s advocacy for more liberal laws.

  • Education gains: Compulsory laws led to universal high school education becoming a norm by late 1920s.

African American Cultural Renaissance

  • Migration increased presence of African Americans in the North (20% by 1930); Harlem became a cultural hub.

  • Renowned artists: Harlem Renaissance figures included poets and jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

  • Marcus Garvey Movement: Advocated for racial pride and self-sufficiency; later faced legal troubles leading to his downfall but left a legacy of Black pride.

Republican Majority and Governance

  • Republican control persisted through the 1920s, marked by support for business over progressive reforms.

  • Warren Harding's Presidency:

    • Scandal-riddled administration, scandals including Teapot Dome; died in office before scandals became public.

  • Calvin Coolidge:

    • Promoted business interests, reduced government involvement, and maintained a budget-conscious administration.

  • Election of 1928: Hoover wins against Smith; eventual irony as prosperity leads to economic depression post-election.

Topic 7.8: 1920s – Cultural and Political Controversies

Introduction

  • Social and political divisions: young vs. old, modernists vs. fundamentalists, prohibitionists vs. anti-prohibitionists, nativists vs. immigrants.

Migration Patterns

  • Urbanization: Majority of Americans lived in urban areas by 1920, moving from rural settings for jobs.

Religion and Politics

  • Divisions Among Protestants

    • Modernism: Influences: women's roles, Social Gospel, scientific advancements; accepted evolution with a critical view of biblical texts.

    • Fundamentalism: Opposed modernism, asserted literal Bible truth, blamed modernism for moral decline.

  • Revivalism and the Radio:

    • Rise in radio evangelism with preachers like Billy Sunday; religious revivals.

  • The Scopes Trial (1925):

    • Trial over evolution teaching in Tennessee; Clarence Darrow vs. William Jennings Bryan; symbolized modernism vs. fundamentalism.

Prohibition

  • The 18th Amendment: Enforced by the Volstead Act; led to speakeasies and organized crime (e.g., Al Capone).

  • Political Response: Support weakened due to public discontent and increased crime; repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.

Immigration and Nativism

  • Post-WWI Immigration: Over one million immigrants from 1919-1921, primarily from Eastern/Southern Europe.

  • Quota Laws: 1921 Act (3% of 1910 Census), 1924 Act (2% of 1890 Census); discriminatory against Asians.

  • Sacco and Vanzetti Case (1921): Italian immigrants highlighted nativist prejudices.

  • Rise of the Ku Klux Klan: Marked by nativism; promoted hostility towards minorities; declined after corruption exposure.

Arts and Literature

  • Disillusionment: Postwar authors criticized past ideals (e.g., F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway).

  • Visual Arts: Edward Hopper captured urban loneliness; Grant Wood celebrated rural themes.

  • Theater Change: Show Boat dealt with serious themes of race and prejudice.

Women and Family Dynamics

  • Changing Roles: 19th Amendment granted women's voting rights but traditional roles persisted.

  • Workforce Participation: Stable female labor participation in low-paying jobs; moral revolutions challenged norms; higher divorce rates and universal high school education by late 1920s.

African American Cultural Renaissance

  • Migration Impact: Growth in Northern African American population; Harlem as a cultural center.

  • Prominent Figures: Harlem Renaissance artists (e.g., Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong); Marcus Garvey's legacy of Black pride.

Republican Majority and Governance

  • Republican Control: Favoring business interests; Warren Harding's scandal-ridden presidency, followed by Calvin Coolidge's budget-conscious governance.

  • Election of 1928: Hoover won against Smith, ironic as prosperity led to economic depression post-election.