Traditionalism vs Modernism in The Roaring Twenties By

Traditionalism vs. Modernism in The Roaring Twenties By: Michelle Eider & Michael Fazio

Traditionalism vs. Modernism • New technologies, new consumer products, and new entertainment led to a modern movement. – Modernist - More liberal views • Traditionalists were skeptical of change. – Traditionalist – more conservative views – Some looked to heroes for the values and modesty of an earlier time. • Fundamentalism– the belief that the Bible was inspired by God and does not contain contradictions or errors; is literally true. • Progress in science and technology influenced the opinions of many people – spread of ideas through new means of communication. • Conflict between modernists and those who wanted the country to stay the same – isolationist.

• KKK (Ku Klux Klan) • • • Founded after the Civil War by Southerners who were against Reconstruction Resembled anti-foreign nativist movement Strong opposition to Catholic Irish and other groups’ immigration to the United States in the 19 th century. Anti-foreign, anti-Catholic, anti -black, anti-Semitic, antipacifist, anti-Communist, antiinternationalist, anti-evolution, anti-bootlegger, antigambling, anti-adultery, and anti-birth control Pro-Anglo-Saxon, Pro- “native” American, and pro. Protestant Concentrated in Midwest and South – 5 million members

Ku Klux Klan William J. Simmons • 1920 s – rebirth of Klan by Methodist circuit preacher Colonel William J. Simmons – response to immigration, urbanization, and The Great Migration • Members strived for a homogeneous and purely “American” society; strived to spread their Protestant culture to anyone that seemed non-American, not just blacks. • “Birth of a Nation” – movie that glorified the Klan • People were often convicted and lynched for crimes that they did not do – created fear. • Lost power in the late 1920 s because of embezzlement scandals.

Science • Pragmatic ideas surfaced involving evolution. – Created by Charles Darwin – stated that humans developed over time from simpler life forms. • Fundamentalists thought theory of evolution contradicted story of creation as told in the Bible. • Tennessee passed a ban prohibiting public schools from teaching evolution in 1925

Science (The Scopes Trial) • A Tennessee science teacher John T. Scopes, challenged the law by teaching evolution to his students • Scopes was arrested, and hired Clarence Darrow, an avid advocate of free speech, to defend him • Fundamentalist William Jennings Bryan represented the prosecution • The trial was the first ever broadcasted over radio

The Scopes Trial • The jury agreed Scopes did teach evolution and was fined $100 • Later, Darrow put Bryan on the stand mocked his fundamentalist beliefs • Bryan claimed he was “simply trying to protect the word of God. ” • The trial magnified the clash of traditionalists vs. modernists, though neither were decisively victorious

Women • After the war, people began questioning the ideas and values which led to war. • Women in particular began to challenge traditional values and manners • The flapper represented the energetic, confident, and rebellious modern woman. • Flappers sported bob haircuts and fitted dresses with shorter hemlines • Women expressed their freedom by smoking and drinking in public like men

Women • Many people moved to the urban centers because that was where most of the action was. • Women held new jobs that gave them independence as well as economic freedom. • Not everyone accepted women’s new role in society; Traditionalists opposed women holding men’s jobs. – Some hospitals refused to hire female doctors – Some law firms rejected female lawyers – Women weren’t offered the same training for some positions – If women were to be married and get pregnant, they were expected by many to leave their positions

Women • • • In response to the women’s changing roles during wartime, they were afforded suffrage in 1920 with the 19 th Amendment. Early on, many women did not exercise their right to vote. Some living in rural areas found it difficult to make it to the polls, while others were simply not comfortable with voting. In 1921, Congress passed the Sheppard. Towner Act which offered welfare for women’s and children’s healthcare. The Equal Rights Amendment, introduced in 1923, stated that “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction, ” though it was never passed. Women like Jeanette Rankin, the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, and Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman to serve as a governor, won political offices. By 1928, there were 145 women in 38 state legislatures, forming the foundation for women’s participation in government in the future. Nellie Tayloe Ross Jeanette Rankin

Youth • Beliefs and opinions of youth shaped by movies – Motion picture invented by Edison – Radio invented by Marconi – broadcasted sporting and political events – Served to expand the amount of information that the youth could receive • Dr. Freud and “sex o’clock” – Youth more open to dating independently and casually because more were attending college. • The “battle” for the youth seemed to be largely leaning toward modernism, while the others swayed back and forth.

Impact • Traditionalism vs. Modernism battle continued throughout century and into today. • Occurred after World War I – Bridged America from its long period of isolationism to some more liberal viewpoints on society; Europe had already adopted many of the views. • Is not always about what is “right” and “wrong” – More about what people are comfortable with and how change and new opinions may hurt society as a whole – Example – New role for women • Modern examples – gay rights, legalizing marijuana