US History Chpt 17 Sec 3

What political, social and economic contributions did women make to American society in the 1920s?

...Women won the right to vote in the 1920s which kicked off a new sense of independence. More women worked outside the home; women went to college. With the right to vote they could change the political landscape by voting for candidates that worked for womens rights. Social contributions included fashion trends. Economic contributions included spending their disposable income on the latest fashions and other items. Also contributions in science, medicine, law and literature (example = Margaret Sanger = taught about birth control = cutting edge at the time.) Also did research resulting in dramatic drops in tuberculosis fatalities.

How was KKK of the 1920s different from the earlier KKK?

.At first, the Ku Klux Klan, used terrorist tactics to intimidate black people (former slaves).. A new version of the Ku Klux Klan arose during the early 1920s. Throughout this time period, the KKK targeted Roman Catholics, Jews, African Americans, and foreigners were only the most obvious targets of the Klan's fear-mongering. Bootleggers and divorcees were also targets.

Emergency Quota Act

1921 - Harding passed it.Restricted annual immigration to the US to only 3% of the total number of people in any ethnic group already living in the US

National Origins Act

1924 - made immigration restriction a permanent policy. Set quota at 2% of each national group represented in the US census in 1890. Workers and unions were happy that there would be less competition for jobs with immigrants for jobs BUT employers needed more workers = Mexican immigrants filled this void because they were exempt from the quota system.

creationsim

Believed that God created the world as described in the Bible.

What issues caused clashes between traditional and new moralities?

Religious differences (creationism vs. Fundamentalism); Role of women (home-maker vs. entering the working world; voting. more independent and educated); prohibition (some thought alcohol was okay and others thought it was the source of all evil)

Fundamentalism

Religious movement. Name came from a series of Christian religious pamphlets called "The Fundamentals." Believed the Bible was literally true and without error. Believed in creationism.

Why did many Americans oppose immigration after WWI? What connections can you make with immigration policies today?

They opposed immigration because of "nativism" and because of the postwar recession. Similar today - nativism argument is now rooted in fear of terrorist attacks be foreigners; similar concerns that immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans.

What was the "new morality" of the 1920s that bothered some people?

Traditional morals and behavior was replaced by ideas that glorified youth and personal freedom - women gained rights and power, speakeasies popped up; drinking; changing religious beliefs (Darwin)

Scopes Trial

You probably know about this from the paper you wrote, right? This was an American legal case that tested the Butler Act which made it unlawful "to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals" in any Tennessee state-funded school and university. The trial drew intense national publicity, with moderns pitted against traditionalists over the teaching of evolution in the schools and a Fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. The trial proved a critical turning point in the American creation-evolution controversy.

Nativism - grew during the 1920s

belief that one's native land needs to be protected against immigrants. Anti-immigration. Keep US for Americans. Caused by the fear and prejudice many felt towards Germans and communists after WWI. KKK believed in nativism and was active in preventing immigration (hated blacks or anyone they did not consider to be American).

evolution - Charles Darwin

human beings developed from lower forms of life over the course of millions of years

prohibition - 18th Amendment (repealed by the 21st Amendment)

movement to ban alcohol; some based on religion others just thought it would reduce unemployment, domestic violence and poverty.

anarchist

people who oppose all government. Context = Sacco-Vanzetti case. Two Italian immigrants arrested for murder in Massachusetts. Not clear they were guilty but bc they were immigrants and anarchists they were convicted anyhow. They were executed in 1927.

speakeasy

secret bars where you could buy alcohol during prohibition