Social and Cultural Tensions
During the 1920s, there were many different clashes on beliefs between urban and rural areas. In rural areas, they believed in hard work, although most farmers suffered through hard times because of the economy. In urban areas, however, there were more modern ideas and beliefs.
Issue 1: The Theory of Evolution
The theory of evolution, made by Charles Darwin, was a major issue because it clashed with the theory of creation that had been stated in the Bible. In the Scopes Trial of 1925, the people of both beliefs fought, and thus, it resulted in a major cultural and religious division, but did not heal any of the conflict that had been created. Following the trial, Tennessee passed a law which mad it illegal to teach the theory of evolution in public schools.
Issue 2: Immigration
Immigration was also a major issue in the 1920s. Because of the amount of people wanting to immigrate to the United States, the Emergency Quota Act and the National Origins were established in 1921. Both of these acts set laws stating the percentage that a certain race could not exceed in the United States. This percentage number was usually very small, about two or three percent. There were also laws put into place to force immigrants to take a literacy test. Those who did not pass this test were not allowed entry into the United States.
Issue 3: Alcoholism
In 1917, there was much prohibition, or banning of alcohol usage. Eventually, in 1919, this law was set to be a permanent change when the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified. This amendment forbade the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcohol in any place in the United States. Of course, many people went against this statement. Bootleggers sold illegal alcohol to consumers, and the government worked tirelessly to stop each and every one of them. By the mid-1920s, most city politicians clamored for the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment. This ended up being another debate over the Prohibition, which ended up being repealed altogether.