Prohibition:
Prohibition, by definition is forbidding of the use of alcohol (Batchelor). Supporters of prohibition were known as “drys” and urged that prohibition supported good health, strengthened families, reduced violence, and overall created a better society. Citizens opposed to the law were known as “wets” and did not let the law stop them from drinking. However, the Volstead Act did put a strain on the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Because of the act, those recognized as bootleggers, sold prohibited alcohol to buyers and in some cities, there were speakeasies, which were undisclosed drinking bars and restaurants. Government officials worked hard to stop unorganized crime yet there were still felonies and misdemeanors. One of the most famous criminals of this period was Al Capone. He was a Chicago gang leader who participated in prostitution, drugs, robbery, and murder and was a big factor in the growth of unorganized crime(Lapsansky-Werner).
Fundamentalism and the Scopes Trial:
In the 1920's the American census showed that for the first time in United States history more Americans were living in urban areas rather than rural areas. This fact contributed to the clash between modernism and fundamentalism. Modernism is the trend that focused on science and secular values over over traditional ideas like religion. on the contrary, fundamentalism emphasized Protestant teachings and believed that everything in the Bible was the literal truth. Generally speaking, people living in urban areas had more modernistic beliefs compared to those who believe in fundamentalism who were living in rural areas. The head on head collision of these principles was shown during the Scopes Trial. The Scopes Trial was in 1925 and was centered around Charles Darwin's theory of evolution (Gilbert). During this time, Tennessee enforced a law which made it illegal for public schools to teach Darwin's theory. When John Scopes taught Darwinism in school, he was immediately arrested. Those opposed to the law generally called it the "Monkey Trial" because Darwinism is the belief that humans derived from monkeys. During the trial, Charles Darrow defended Scopes whereas William Jennings Bryan was a prosecutor in the trial. In the end, Scopes was found guilty and was fined $100. Although the trial highlighted a major social issue, it did not solve any problems or answer any questions (Lapsansky-Werner).
Prohibition, by definition is forbidding of the use of alcohol (Batchelor). Supporters of prohibition were known as “drys” and urged that prohibition supported good health, strengthened families, reduced violence, and overall created a better society. Citizens opposed to the law were known as “wets” and did not let the law stop them from drinking. However, the Volstead Act did put a strain on the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Because of the act, those recognized as bootleggers, sold prohibited alcohol to buyers and in some cities, there were speakeasies, which were undisclosed drinking bars and restaurants. Government officials worked hard to stop unorganized crime yet there were still felonies and misdemeanors. One of the most famous criminals of this period was Al Capone. He was a Chicago gang leader who participated in prostitution, drugs, robbery, and murder and was a big factor in the growth of unorganized crime(Lapsansky-Werner).
Fundamentalism and the Scopes Trial:
In the 1920's the American census showed that for the first time in United States history more Americans were living in urban areas rather than rural areas. This fact contributed to the clash between modernism and fundamentalism. Modernism is the trend that focused on science and secular values over over traditional ideas like religion. on the contrary, fundamentalism emphasized Protestant teachings and believed that everything in the Bible was the literal truth. Generally speaking, people living in urban areas had more modernistic beliefs compared to those who believe in fundamentalism who were living in rural areas. The head on head collision of these principles was shown during the Scopes Trial. The Scopes Trial was in 1925 and was centered around Charles Darwin's theory of evolution (Gilbert). During this time, Tennessee enforced a law which made it illegal for public schools to teach Darwin's theory. When John Scopes taught Darwinism in school, he was immediately arrested. Those opposed to the law generally called it the "Monkey Trial" because Darwinism is the belief that humans derived from monkeys. During the trial, Charles Darrow defended Scopes whereas William Jennings Bryan was a prosecutor in the trial. In the end, Scopes was found guilty and was fined $100. Although the trial highlighted a major social issue, it did not solve any problems or answer any questions (Lapsansky-Werner).