Fundamentalism In The 1920s Essay
The 1920s was a decade of many changes and conflicts. Benton MacKaye, an
environmentalist during the time, was quoted as saying the 1920s were “the most volcanic of any
area on earth” (Tindall and Shi 790). Due to the upheaval of World War I, so many people were
forced to change their ideals. It pushed forth many positive and negative reactions and
transformations in the people and society, such as: fundamentalism, new immigration laws and
restrictions, a rise in organized crime, the modern woman and her rights, and the increased
culture of consumerism.
As a reaction to the new way of thinking, known as modernism, fundamentalism
emerged. Fundamentalists thought their way of life and existence was being threatened by the
new …show more content…
Shown by the fact that only six representatives in congress voted
against the new Immigration Act of 1924 (Shi and Mayer 174), many people believed that this
was a necessary step in stopping the “foreign invasion” (Tindal and Shi 792).
Another one of the fundamentalists’ campaigns included the abolishment of the alcohol.
Along with the ratification of the 18th amendment, came the rise in organized crime. Due to the
overwhelming need for alcohol, even though it was outlawed, bootlegging became widespread.
It was somewhat easy for bootleggers to have well organized operations as a result of the lack of
Prohibition agents (Tindall and Shi 798). Prohibition brought a large influx of income to the
criminals willing to supply alcohol to the masses. One in particular, Al Capone, brought in $60
million dollars due to his numerous illegal endeavors. The 1920s would start a long battle with
organized crime that is still fought today.
Also, in the 1920s, women started taking on a more modern look and attitude. Women
started taking control over the things she did, such as: smoking, drinking, dancing,
environmentalist during the time, was quoted as saying the 1920s were “the most volcanic of any
area on earth” (Tindall and Shi 790). Due to the upheaval of World War I, so many people were
forced to change their ideals. It pushed forth many positive and negative reactions and
transformations in the people and society, such as: fundamentalism, new immigration laws and
restrictions, a rise in organized crime, the modern woman and her rights, and the increased
culture of consumerism.
As a reaction to the new way of thinking, known as modernism, fundamentalism
emerged. Fundamentalists thought their way of life and existence was being threatened by the
new …show more content…
Shown by the fact that only six representatives in congress voted
against the new Immigration Act of 1924 (Shi and Mayer 174), many people believed that this
was a necessary step in stopping the “foreign invasion” (Tindal and Shi 792).
Another one of the fundamentalists’ campaigns included the abolishment of the alcohol.
Along with the ratification of the 18th amendment, came the rise in organized crime. Due to the
overwhelming need for alcohol, even though it was outlawed, bootlegging became widespread.
It was somewhat easy for bootleggers to have well organized operations as a result of the lack of
Prohibition agents (Tindall and Shi 798). Prohibition brought a large influx of income to the
criminals willing to supply alcohol to the masses. One in particular, Al Capone, brought in $60
million dollars due to his numerous illegal endeavors. The 1920s would start a long battle with
organized crime that is still fought today.
Also, in the 1920s, women started taking on a more modern look and attitude. Women
started taking control over the things she did, such as: smoking, drinking, dancing,