Study Notes on Social Changes in America during the Early 20th Century

Margaret Sanger, a pivotal figure in birth control advocacy, known as the "godwoman of birth control."
Initially faced legal issues for distributing birth control pamphlets but went on to normalize birth control.
Instrumental in the development and success of the birth control pill in the 1950s and established Planned Parenthood.

Marriage in earlier times was often arranged by parents, with children having little say in choosing their partners.
- Parents often selected mates based on social connections, like friends or neighbors.
In the 1920s, a shift occurred where individuals began seeking their own partners based on personal romantic ideals.
- The cultural movement emphasized marrying for love rather than obligation.
Women began to postpone marriage for greater independence and personal freedom, significantly impacting:
- Marriage Rates: Resulted in dropping marriage rates.
- Birth Rates: Saw a decline in birth rates correlating with fewer marriages.
- Divorce Rates: Increased divorce rates due to more liberal divorce laws.

Background on Evolution:
- Evolution, outlined in Charles Darwin's "Origin of the Species" published in 1859, began gaining acceptance in the American mainstream by the 1920s.
- Resistance persisted, especially in Southern states, where the Butler Act prohibited teaching evolution in schools.
Scopes Trial (1925):
- John Scopes, a high school teacher, arrested and put on trial for teaching evolution.
- The trial, dubbed the "monkey trial," became a national spectacle sparking debates on science vs. religion.
- High-profile lawyers involved: Clarence Darrow defended Scopes, and William Jennings Bryan prosecuted.
- Key moments included:
  - Scientific Evidence: Judge ruled scientific evidence inadmissible; the trial focused on whether Scopes broke the law, not the law's validity.
  - Biblical Literalism: Darrow challenged Bryan’s literal interpretations of the Bible, exemplified by questioning the Jonah story.
- Despite a conviction, public opinion favored Darrow for his mockery of Bryan, changing societal views on evolution.
- The Butler Act was eventually repealed in 1967.

18th Amendment:
- Established prohibition by prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol (1919). It did not make alcohol possession illegal.
Volstead Act:
- Enforced prohibition detailing legal definitions of alcohol (e.g., anything over 0.5% alcohol content).
- Introduced divisions between "wets" (urban supporters of alcohol) and "drys" (rural abstainers).
Speakeasies and Bootlegging:
- Speakeasies were secret bars requiring passwords for entry, indicating a shift in social attitudes with women participating in drinking culture.
- Bootlegging emerged, with organized crimes like smuggling alcohol from international locations (e.g., Bahamas) and local illicit production due to high demand.
- The underground market flourished with gang violence escalating, particularly in cities like Chicago led by figures like Al Capone.
Social Changes:
- Prohibition pushed drinking underground but did not eradicate social drinking practices; consumption of alcohol persisted through various legal loopholes.
- Consequently, the era also saw a rise in organized crime and mob violence as law enforcement struggled to contain illegal alcohol trafficking.

With the movement of African Americans to urban areas, a cultural rebirth known as the Harlem Renaissance took place in the 1920s.
Jazz music emerged, gaining popularity beyond the African American community:
- Originated in New Orleans, then spread to cities like Chicago and New York.
- Prominent musicians include Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
Harlem became a cultural center where diverse audiences enjoyed performances, contributing to a new era of artistic expression.
Noteworthy aspects include:
- The Cotton Club: Exclusively for white patrons while hiring black performers, highlighting racial inequalities.

The 1920s also witnessed a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, capitalizing on racial fears and anti-immigrant sentiments.
- Use of media, such as the film "Birth of a Nation," propagating racist ideologies and glorifying the KKK.
Klan membership surged, targeting not only African Americans but also immigrants, Catholics, and Jews.

Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation across the U.S. in both public and private spheres.
Events like the Rosewood incident demonstrate extreme racial violence during this period:
- A white woman's accusation incited a mob to destroy the predominantly African American town of Rosewood in 1923.
- Death toll estimates are significantly higher than the official count of six.
The civil rights movement initiated efforts to dismantle segregation and aggressively confront racial injustices toward the mid-20th century.