The 18th amendment (1919)
What it does- Prohibits manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcohol.
However- this could not be enforced
Prohibition 1920-1933
Causes of Prohibition
*Various religious groups believe drinking alcohol is sinful.
*Reformers believed alcohol leads to wife and child abuse and accidents on the job.
*During WWI native-born Americans developed hostility to German-American brewers and toward other immigrant groups that used alcohol.
Effects of Prohibition
*Disrespect for the law developed
*An increase in lawlessness such as smuggling and bootlegging was evident
*Criminals found a new source of income.
*organized crime grew.
1920s Urban vs. Rural Values...
* The growth of cities-- Results in new urban lifestyles that conflict with traditional values.
*Rural areas
Mostly supporters of prohibition clash with
*Urban areas
Many who ignore the prohibition laws.
Urban views Clash with Rural views
The Scopes Trial
*Fundamentalists
--Believe that the bible account of the creation of thr world is literally true.
More are from rural areas
Scientific Theory of Evolution
Many other Americans believe in the modern theory of evolution. More are from urban areas
Tennessee law
Teaching the scientific theory of evolution in a public school is illegal.
Important people:
John Scopes- taught the scientific theory in a public high school classroom
Clarence Darrow- famous defense attorney who defended Scopes
William Jennings Bryan- famous politician who was the prosecuting attorney.
"What rights do Americans have in teaching science and religion in public schools?"
Scopes is found guilty, but only fined $100.00 and let go.
Women in the 1920s
Flapper
-new style of dress; represents the emancipated women of the 1920s (more in urban areas)
19th Amendment (1920)
-women gain the right to vote!
Changing Roles in the Workplace
*Women lose jobs after WWI
*Women join the workforce in huge numbers as clerical workers
*Discrimination and inequality still exists against women in the workplace
*Technological advances simplify household tasks
*Despite change the majority of women remain homemakers.
Education and Popular Culture in the 1920s
What Happens in High schools?
-Number of high school students increases fourfold.
-High schools train students for jobs and homemaking (not just college)
Magazines and tabloids are started
-The Radio Increases news coverage and gives Americans shared experiences
Heroes/stars
-There is a new phenomena of sports heroes, adventure heroes and movie stars
New styles of art and literature
-Writers express the clash of values in American society
Harlem Renaissance
A new literary movement led by African American writers.
The 1920s is known as the "Jazz age"
-African American Jazz Music centered in Harlem takes over in America during the 1920s
African American Writers
-African Americans writers write honestly about the hardships of life for blacks in America
Black writers celebrate their heritage- "black is beautiful"
Jazz greats:
Louis Armstrong
Bessie Smith
Duke Ellington
Writers:
Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes
Problems Faced by African Americans in the 1920s
The Great Migration
African Americans move from the rural south to northern cities
Riots
Tensions from more blacks in cities result in race riots: 25 in 1919.
Discrimination and segregation
Is still widespread in both the north and south.
N.A.A.C.P.
--National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is formed to actively work for the rights of African Americans
--Led by James Weldon Johnson- who works for anti-lynching laws. And W.E.B. Dubois- the first African American to get a PhD from Harvard
Marcus Garvey
--Promoted black pride, economic independence and a reverence for Africa. Also supported black separatism