Americas Political and Social Attitudes During the 1920s...

Americas Political and Social Attitudes During the 1920s America is the most powerful country in the world and prides itself in being a melting pot of different cultures but has that always been true of America. I would like to argue that during the 1920s America became less tolerant of anything Un-American. I would like to mention immigration policy, the Ku Klux Klan, political hysteria and Religious intolerance. Before 1917 America had an open door policy toward immigration but thousands of immigrants were pouring in from eastern European, Asian, and African countries which the WASPS (White Anglo Saxon Protestants), who had power at the time, didnt want in America. After 1917 a†¦show more content†¦The purpose of these laws was to protect the interests of the WASPS already in America who held power at the time but feared losing it to opposing groups such as Jews, Catholics, Blacks, Communists and anarchists. Another way America was becoming more intolerant during the 1920s was through the Ku Klux Klan, an organisation founded by a Texan dentist named Hiram Wesley Evans and its main aim was to protect white supremacy and the interests of the WASPS. During the 1920s when racial and political intolerance was at a peak membership rocketed to 5 million. The Klan was strongest in the southern states, which had previously been the slave states, and hatred for the blacks was heightened as whites and blacks were now competing for jobs, houses and land. The clan put its views across using extreme violence, for instance, should a black man get a job over a white man the white man would have a word with the Klan, the Klan would pay the black man a visit and the next day the black man would resign so the white man could have the job, in other cases the Klan would organise lynchings where mobs would roam the streets looking for a disliked ethnic minority person to beat up and possibly kill. Membership of the Klan was limited to American WASPS and no other ethnic groups could join. AnotherShow MoreRelatedProhibition Essay942 Words   |  4 PagesProhibition The years leading into the 1920s and the prohibition movement were marked with saloons, drunkenness, and a society of increasing alcohol consumption. Americas changing social habits brought on the passage of the Eighteenth amendment in 1919, placing a nation-wide ban on intoxicating liquors. This amendment was to prevent the production, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages. As the new law was established, the problem of enforcing Americans to obey the law was a great taskRead MoreEssay on The Great Gatsby- Women in the Twenties1328 Words   |  6 PagesIn the 1920’s, after the first world war, women’s roles in society began to change because they became more independent, both in clothing and actions. They defied the well-known appropriate feminine behavior and along with those actions came new fashions. They refused to live up to any rules, whether from their husbands or their society. Today’s modern women are the reflection of the 1920’s women. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald appraises the changing attitudes of women in the 1920s in hisRead MoreEssay about Roosevelt Vs. Hoover and the Great Depression1658 Words   |  7 PagesRoosevelt and Hoover The Great Depression drastically changed Americas definition of Liberalism. Prior to the onset of the depression, in the roaring twenties, policies of laissez-faire were considered liberal, radical, revolutionary, and even democratic. This was due to the fact that revolution was a horrifying notion and not until after the laissez-faire and the system of free market fails in the 1920s do people begin to look about for alternatives. The time when people starting to seek alternativesRead MoreAn Examination of the Modernization in the American Society in Marianne Wiggins ´ Evidence of Things Unseen1198 Words   |  5 PagesThings Unseen by Marianne Wiggins identifies several ways in which the American Society modernized during the interwar period, the time period between World War 1 and World War 2. To be considered modern a country had to become industrialized. Industrialism is a way of life that encompasses profound economic, social, political, and cultural changes. (Modernization) America made three profound social changes which modernized the nation. The American government tried to improve education throughoutRead MoreIntertextuality In Ragtime1466 Words   |  6 Pagesit must also be remembered that intertextuality does not always have literary references, It use can be implemented to reflect a period of history. This study aims to reveal and present the intertextual relations that Ragtime presents to America’s history during the early 20th century. The aim of this segment will be to show the use of intertextuality to reveal Doctorow’s intention in citing historical characters and events history within Ragtime, juxtaposing them with the fictitious world of theRead MoreThe World s Best Hope1951 Words   |  8 Pages During 1920’s America, we saw a multitude of both benefactors and opposition. A large majority of these benefactors were individuals within politics or business. Despite this, America had an unfounded worldwide contribution to economic growth, racialist activism and potential political proxy. America had a well-established political system that ensured extensive industrial growth in a short period of time through use of the availability of cheap labour overseas to captivate upon the lucrative sourceRead More2.) To What Extent Did The Coming Of The Harlem Renaissance1483 Words   |  6 Pages2.) To what extent did the coming of the Harlem Renaissance represent a social and Cultural Revolution in the United States? Did all accept this renaissance? The Harlem Renaissance gave the black race new culture identity. The renaissance was very artistic, musical and literary. There were more black writers during this time. Not as many as white, but still it was a movement in the black identity. They were showing America that they could do as much as whites could and do it as good. The HarlemRead MoreThe Progressive Era And Political Reform1330 Words   |  6 Pages The Progressive era was a period around 1890-1920, in which the rise of social activism became apparent as well as p olitical reform. Americans during this time began to move away from rural and began to colonize cities. Progressive activists at the time sought to eliminate government corruption, increase regulation in business practices, and address and resolve health issues in the work force. Journalists known as muckrakers were catalysts of change by informing the public about prominent issuesRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1407 Words   |  6 PagesChange can be both good and bad. Change is constantly occurring and has occurred for centuries. The 1920s were a period of great social, political, and technological change in United States (Roaring Twenties†). The Great War had just ended, and America exited the war victorious. Society was becoming more and more social and the economy was booming. Art, design, and especially architecture were becoming more modern due to the occurring Art Deco Movement. And many people had obtained or were closeRead MoreRace Determined Inclusi on and Exclusion in America1861 Words   |  7 Pagesprivilege group, therefore excluded from the discriminatory practice against other minorities. Mexicans, Filipinos, Blacks (African Americans) and Native Americans, were excluded from first class citizenship, and were and still are in some cases America’s victims of separatism. Americans of European descent fought to keep their status quo though eugenics, racial discrimination and unfair laws and practices. Therefore, many obstacles were put in place to disenfranchised minorities through strategically