Chapter 25 Postwar Society and Culture
Closing the Gates to New Immigrants World War I caused immigration to dramatically increase Congress passed a quota system that closed the gates to Southern Europeans and Jews The National Origins Act caused foreign-born percentage of population to fall Jews subjected to increasing anti-Semitism
New Urban Social Patterns By 1920, more Americans lived in urban areas rather than rural ones Urban environment changed family patterns- marriage a partnership where women were equal Emergence of child experts- ranged from rigid training to permissiveness Urbanization loosened constraints on sexuality
The Younger Generation Disillusionment over the Great War and prudery of elders caused to more liberal expression Advent of dating versus courting Relations between the sexes becoming more relaxed / uninhibited Fashion and public behavior impacted
The New Woman After 1920 – more openness about sex but contraception concern of married women Margaret Sanger – Bohemian – leader of birth control movement Birth control not constitutionally protected until 1960s More women worked outside the home but most work menial – disparity in wages The passage of the 19 th Amendment caused rift in womens movement as some saw more work needed while others saw the job as done
Popular Culture: Movies and Radio The film industry became the 4 th largest in capital investment Films became new art: lighting, camera angles, new methods of narrative New celebrities – American royalty? Impact of radio on common population Immediate communication Advertising FCC established to revoke licenses that failed to operate in the public interest
The Golden Age of Sports People had more money to spend and more time to fill Sports superstars and the rise of professional sports Rise of school team sports Jim Thorp
Urban-Rural Conflicts Changes mostly in urban areas Changes resented by rural areas – seen as sinful, overly materialistic, and unhealthy Radio and movies caused rural areas to want new ways at same time they spoke out against new ways Manifested in resurgence of religious fundamentalism - conservatism
Urban-Rural Conflicts Conflict illustrated by Scopes Monkey Trial Darwins theories banned William Jennings Bryan versus Clarence Darrow Biology teacher – John Scopes – Dayton Test case for ACLU Conviction
Prohibition Rural versus urban conflict – alcohol 18 th Amendment – Prohibition Alcohol related crimes dropped Total abstinence caused many to violate law Smuggling Bootleggers Speakeasies Bathtub gin Alcohol prescriptions Hypocrisy of officials Gangsterism
The Ku Klux Klan Revival in 1920s New Klan founded in 1915 by William J. Simmons Targeted Blacks, Catholics, and Jews Very little appeal in NE and cities – most popular in mid- west and west Success caused factionalism and squabbling over power and money Conviction of leader, David Stephenson, for rape and death of young woman caused dramatic decline
Sacco and Vanzetti Crime: 1921 robbery and murder of shoe factory paymaster and guard Accused: Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti – Italian immigrants and anarchists Convicted & sentenced to death Cause celebre Executed 1927 – disillusioned intellectuals
The New Negro Disappointment after WWI gains Segregation Labor issues Marcus Garvey Separatism Back to Africa The Ghetto Concentrated political power Built self-confidence & brought opportunity Culture Jazz Harlem Renaissance Marcus Garvey
Economic Expansion Little government interference Federal Reserve kept interest rates low Post-war demand for products Increased mechanization Increased use of electricity Assembly line Taylorism
Age of the Consumer Rise of advertising The installment plan The automobile Million+ cars produced per year – cars cheaper New industries to supply parts for cars New road building Changes in family life and recreational patterns Sense of freedom
The Airplane Internal combustion engine made airplane possible Wright Brothers Most planes built before 1920 intended for military use Charles Lindbergh – solo flight across Atlantic