Nativism and Fear of Communism – Nativism and Fear of Communism – 1. Violation of rights- Palmer often had very little evidence on his “suspects” and often violated basic American rights of people, such as freedom of speech and being accused of wrongful deeds on strong evidence.
2. American’s had a growing fear of everything foreign, because many felt that their morals and behaviors would undermine America and destroy the country. The backdrop of the “Red Scare” created an environment of mistrust of foreigners that in this event became scapegoating.
3. Due to the Great Migration and threats of foreigners, the KKK felt they needed to get involved to help preserve 100% Americanism. Believing in white supremacy, they also added Jews, immigrants, and Communists to their hate list. Their goal was to restrict the movement of these people into the country, and restrict the rights of those already here.
1. A high school teacher, John Scopes, taught his students about Darwin’s theory of evolution. THE SCOPES TRIAL
•The state of Tennessee brought a suit against John Scopes for violation of the Butler Law saying this was illegal.
•The trial brought to the surface divisions between urban (modern) and rural (fundamentalist) ways.
Cultural Divisions in AmericaCultural Divisions in America
•Scopes was found guilty and fined $100
•The verdict was seen as a victory for morality and a reaction against the “immoral” urban lifestyle
2. This became a fight between the Christian fundamentalists and modern scientific driven lifestyles.
3. Harlem Renaissance- A movement in which African-Americans gained recognition for their talents in the arts, literature, and music. This allowed them to express their beliefs on the quality of their lives in America. Langston Hughes was one of the most notable participants in this re-birth.
So why are we talking about it under the theme of divisions in American society?
The roles of women were redefined during the 1920s.
This birth of a “new woman” was the focus of intense social and cultural controversy.
Changing Roles of WomenChanging Roles of Women
The Rebellious Flappers and Societal Changes – Discovery Education
2. Women took on a larger role in the new Industrialized economy, taking jobs that allowed them to support their desire for independence.
3. The “Old” and “New” Woman
= OLD WAYS
Dependent
Conventional
Unmotivated
Simple
Serious
Ignorant
Restricted
Submissive
Plain
Independent
Wild
Ambitious
Adventurous
Fun-loving
Intelligent
Free
Assertive
“Made up”
= New Ways
The Prohibition EraThe Prohibition Era
1. A symbol of the failure of the “Noble Experiment” was the rise of underground means of continuing previous behaviors. A mindset existed that the law was to clean up “other” parts of society. Exposed weaknesses in the scope of the Progressive movement.
Prohibition Era
2. “Businessmen” like Al Capone saw great opportunity in supplying the demand for alcohol that still existed. Crime, corruption, and greed followed the desire these Crime bosses had for wealth and power.
3. Many unintended results were created by the Prohibition Era. Besides an increase in crime and corruption, the goal of improving the moral standards of our country was completely unfulfilled.
The Consumer EconomyThe Consumer EconomyConsumer Economy
Republican ideals of “pro-business” government, including tax cuts for the wealthly, generated a trickle down effect in the economy.
The average wage of workers rose, as did their overall buying power due to an increase in the availability of credit.
Welfare capitalism provided benefits to the average workers unseen in previous generations. (Pensions, profit sharing, workers compensation.)
“A CHICKEN IN EVERY POT AND A CAR IN EVERY GARAGE.”
-Herbert Hoover campaign promise
“THE CHIEF BUSINESS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS BUSINESS.”
-Calvin Coolidge
REPUBLICAN FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
INDIVIDUAL AMERICANS
AMERICAN BUSINESSES
HIGHER WAGES
+
HIGHER PROFITS
+
LOWER TAXES
+
LOWER TAXES
+
HIGHER CREDIT CEILING
=
HIGHER TARIFFS
=
Over speculation on the stock market, through margin buying, lifted stock prices to unnatural highs.
Credit buying encouraged people to purchase goods they could not really afford.
This Superficial lifestyle caused many to become disillusioned with the changes in America. The Lost Generation of 1920s writers wrote tales of the mockery America was making of herself.
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