Just as black-founded jazz music was being blamed for the corruption and immorality of American youth, other "culture wars" were apparent in 1920s society. Following a hotel party at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, during which a young aspiring actress was killed by famous silent film actor Fatty Arbuckle, some conservative elements in society blamed the rise of Hollywood films and celebrities for the corruption and immorality they perceived. In a great attempt to "return to normalcy" following World War I, this assignment focuses on the idea of 1920s American society and culture at war with itself.

Assignment Instructions

Step 1: Select a theme and assess the primary sources.

You do not need to read all of the sources linked, only those that relate to the aspect of the 1920s culture wars you want to explore deeper.

Options (choose one theme and read the linked page):

• Feminism and the early birth control movement
• Immigration and "Americanism"
• Political debate over Prohibition (18th Amendment)
• Religious fundamentalism versus religious modernism

Step 2: Reply to Prompt

Using this week's sources, respond to the prompt below in a 150- to 250-word discussion post. No formal citations necessary, but do reference the sources to support your ideas. You don't have to answer all the questions, just the ones that get you writing. Main post is worth up to eight points.

Prompt: In what ways does your selected aspect of the 1920s culture wars connect to social anxiety over "modernity"? For example:

• If you chose the first reading option: What do the sources on 1920s feminism say about the nature of women's rights-- was everyone in agreement about what constituted 'women's liberation' and the 'modern woman'?
• If you chose the second reading option: Explain American immigration policy in the 1920s-- what is the "Americanism" conceptualized in both the arguments for and against immigration restrictions? Feel free to discuss past documents, like the source by Madison Grant. How does the debate over immigration in the 1920s represent a 'culture war'?
• If you chose the third reading option: How do the arguments for and against the repeal of the 18th Amendment (which made alcohol an illegal substance) represent a 'culture war' between social 'conservatives' and 'liberal modernists' in the 1920s?
• If you chose the fourth reading option: Explain the 1920s fight for the religious soul of the country between religious fundamentalists and religious modernists.

Do you see any parallels to today's 'culture wars' (feminism, race and ethnicity and belonging, immigration, religion and secularism)?

Step 3: Reply to Three (3) Peers

• In a short paragraph between 50 and 100 words, add further supporting details or respectfully disagree with the post's author using evidence from this week's readings.
• Respond to as many peers as you like, but you must respond to at least three coursemates.
• Each response post is worth up to four points.