Domestic Issues of Domestic Issues of the 1920sthe 1920s

Social Tensions and BeyondSocial Tensions and Beyond

Fundamentalism Fundamentalism MovementMovement

• Promoted by rural America; preserve and Promoted by rural America; preserve and maintain traditional religion as center of maintain traditional religion as center of lifelife

• Felt threatened by the changing values of Felt threatened by the changing values of societysociety

• Believed in literal interpretation of the Believed in literal interpretation of the BibleBible

• This movement was tied to:This movement was tied to:– Evolution TrialEvolution Trial– ProhibitionProhibition

Scopes or ‘Monkey’ TrialScopes or ‘Monkey’ Trial

• 1925 it was illegal in Tenn. for any public 1925 it was illegal in Tenn. for any public school teacher to teach evolutionschool teacher to teach evolution

• John Scopes, biology teacher, had himself John Scopes, biology teacher, had himself arrested for teaching evolution arrested for teaching evolution

• Promised free counsel by American Civil Promised free counsel by American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)Liberties Union (ACLU)– W. J. Bryan: ProsecutorW. J. Bryan: Prosecutor– Clarence Darrow: Defense AttorneyClarence Darrow: Defense Attorney

• Scopes convicted, fined $100 but many Scopes convicted, fined $100 but many states repealed anti-evolution laws states repealed anti-evolution laws

Clarence Darrow

William J. Bryan

Prohibition (1920-1933)Prohibition (1920-1933)

• Forbidding by law of the manufacture, trans., Forbidding by law of the manufacture, trans., sale and possession of alcoholsale and possession of alcohol

• Extension of Progressive MovementExtension of Progressive Movement– Anti Saloon League & W.C.T.UAnti Saloon League & W.C.T.U

• 1818thth Amend. (1919) changed by 21 Amend. (1919) changed by 21stst Amend. Amend. (1933)(1933)– Violent and unsolved crime rate increasedViolent and unsolved crime rate increased– Presidents didn’t back it and enforcement was hardPresidents didn’t back it and enforcement was hard

• Rise of Mafia (Organized Crime)Rise of Mafia (Organized Crime)• Las Vegas emerged as growing cityLas Vegas emerged as growing city

‘‘Modern’ Ku Klux KlanModern’ Ku Klux Klan

• Widespread Prejudice:Widespread Prejudice:– Hated Jews, blacks, Hated Jews, blacks,

Hispanics, Catholics, Hispanics, Catholics, Orientals, ImmigrantsOrientals, Immigrants

• Political Power: Political Power: – 4 million strong4 million strong

• Similar to Nazis – same Similar to Nazis – same type of personalities & type of personalities & leadershipleadership

• Americans usually reject Americans usually reject the extreme viewsthe extreme views

Immigration PoliciesImmigration Policies

• Prior to 20s: no restrictions for Prior to 20s: no restrictions for entryentry

• Immigration Act of 1921Immigration Act of 1921– Limited entry to 3% of total persons of Limited entry to 3% of total persons of

each nationality already in U.S.each nationality already in U.S.• Immigration Act of 1924Immigration Act of 1924

– Limited entry to 164,000 in any one yearLimited entry to 164,000 in any one year– Immigration from East Asia was bannedImmigration from East Asia was banned

• Immigration Act of 1929Immigration Act of 1929– Limited entry to 150,000 in any one yearLimited entry to 150,000 in any one year

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