American Life Changes  Roaring Twenties – speedy social changes in the U.S. in the 1920s.  Women:  1. Voting – elected in state and local gov  2. Work – lost wartime jobs when troops came home.  3. Education – women attending college

New family roles  Gender roles were changing  Women – home, children, most depended on men for financial support.  Increasing number wanted equality in relationships with men.  Flappers – young women who defied traditional ideas of proper dress and behavior.  Cut their hair short, skirts, wearing makeup, smoking, drinking, dancing.  Many women disapproved of this behavior

Effects of Urbanization  Big differences between booming cities and rural towns.  Farming – many people moved to cities, could not make money.  Automobiles allowed farmers to work in the cities – and become less isolated and more urban attitudes and outlooks.  Education laws were passed – young people had to attend school.  1. get kids out of workplaces  2. teach immigrants American way of life  3. more people can afford to send children to school – better paying jobs.

Conflicts over values  Living in larger communities, people changed values.  Key ideas and beliefs a person holds.  Differed from traditional rural values.  KKK grew dramatically in the 1920s – drew members from rural areas  Their own social status was declining, while cultural urban America was growing  KKK started to get involved in politics

Rise of fundamentalism  Many Americans turned to religion during this time of change.  Literal interpretation of the Bible.  Leaders Billy Sunday and Aimee Semple McPherson

The Scopes Trial  Fundamentalism conflicted with modern science.  Evolution – Bible vs. Darwin  Did not want evolution taught in schools  John Scopes taught evolution and was arrested.  This was the biggest trial in American history.

Prohibition  18 th amendment – 1919 – law restricting the use of alcohol.  Supporters – positive benefits to society.  Could not enforce the drinking of alcohol.  Led to smuggling operations by bootleggers.  Also led to homemade alcohol  This will lead to the criminal organization of the gangsters - Al Capone  Made so much money, he could pay off law enforcement.  Gov. will try to shutdown “speakeasies” – illegal bars  Gov could not enforce this law.