Transcript Traditionalists vs. Modernists

TRADITIONALISTS
VS.
MODERNISTS
Unit 2 – the 1920s
Essential Question: How did social, economic
and religious tensions divide Americans
during the 1920s?
Who are the traditionalists and
modernists?
• Traditionalist = a person who has deep respect for long-
held cultural and religious values
• They believe these values are the “anchor” that provides order and
stability in society
• Modernist = a person who embraces new ideas, styles
and social trends.
• They believe traditional values restrict individual freedom and
happiness
• MAIN IDEA: In the 1920’s there was a “culture war”
between those who believe in traditional values vs.
modern beliefs.
The traditionalist thinks…
• new ideas and behavior
should be viewed with
suspicion.
• they are defending all
that is good in America.
• City culture is “moneygrubbing,”
“materialistic,” and
“immoral.”
TITLE:
Urban & Rural America
MAIN IDEAS
• Many people started to
move from small towns
to cities
• By 1920, more than
50% of the public lived
in urban areas
• Cities became the
center of economic
growth
The Modernist thinks…
• cities provide the most
economic opportunity.
• cities provide more
freedom to think and
live.
• rural America is behind
the times.
TITLE:
The Youth & Adult
Perspective
The traditionalist thinks…
• laws should be passed
to limit what women
could wear.
MAIN IDEAS
• the purpose of
• Courtship (dating)
courtship is to lead to
changed dramatically
marriage.
• that young people are
reckless and immoral. • Increase in public
education & college
• the censorship of ideas
enrollment
is okay
• Emergence of the
flapper
The Modernist thinks…
• flapper culture should
be embraced.
• the new fads were the
“cats pajamas.”
• the purpose of dating
was to just have fun.
• their parents are just
nagging them and
behind the times.
TITLE:
The traditionalist thinks…
Debate over Wet & Dry
• alcohol causes crime,
violence and the
MAIN IDEAS
breakup of families.
• Enforcing prohibition
• the stopping of drinking
(the 18th Amendment)
will lead to a healthier,
was very difficult
happier America.
• stopping alcohol will
• Support for prohibition
lead to less influence
was mainly in the rural
from foreigners
areas
(Germans and Italians)
• At first, prohibition
seemed to be a
success
• Opposition to
prohibition grew during
the 1920s
• Volstead Act – enforced
the 18th Amendment
• Repealed by the 21st
The Modernist thinks…
• prohibition violates
individual liberty.
• Gov’t is trying to overly
regulate people.
• traditionalists are
ignorant.
• the religious argument
made by traditionalists
is flawed.
TITLE:
Creationism & Evolution
The traditionalist thinks…
• creationism should be
taught in schools, not
MAIN IDEAS
evolution.
• evolution will lead to the • Theory of Evolution =
Darwin’s theory that
acceptance of social
plants, animals and
Darwinism.
humans evolved from
• laws, like the Butler
simpler forms of life.
Law in Tennessee,
should be supported.
• By the 1920s, evolution
was regularly taught in
many schools.
• Creationism = the belief
that God created the
universe as described
in the Bible.
• The debate was
highlighted during the
Scopes Monkey Trial.
The Modernist thinks…
• evolution and natural
selection should be
embraced.
• religion and science
can co-exist.
• people should look at
science – instead of
religion – to explain the
modern world.
Practice Quiz
Traditionalism
Modernism
4) Support only religious teaching
7) Young people are reckless
1) Associated
with rural
America.and fads should be
8) Flappers
aboutand
creation.
immoral.
embraced.
5) Believe alcohol is the root of
6) Associated with cities.
3) Believe restrictions limit liberty.
2) Associated with younger people.
many societal problems.