How did the conflict between modernity and tradition manifest itself? Give three examples and explain how it was a conflict between modernity and tradition.
After the end of World War I, the United States experienced remarkable alterations in its economy, society, and developing technology. With a desire for reform in the hearts of many Americans living in urban communities, new concepts, ideas, and beliefs unraveled during the 1920s that shook men and women out of their traditional mindsets. This excitement and enthusiasm for change gave this era the appropriate name of “The Roarin’ 20s”. However, during this period, the United States was still home to many Americans who built their lives around traditional morals and values. The majority of these citizens lived in rural areas, maintained their 1850s lifestyle, and opposed the radical transformation that were being made in busy cities, like New York and Chicago. These antagonistic lifestyles obviously created conflicting opinions on various situations and circumstances, that ranged from constitutional amendments all the way to court trials.
One of the greatest conflicts during this time period bore an all-American gangster who constructed his fame and fortune around the illegal solicitation of alcohol. This illegal solicitation was brought on by the 18th amendment - prohibition - which prevented the manufacturing and selling of alcohol. The rise of this legislation was the result of traditional, or fundamentalist, beliefs; with the theory that the reduction of alcohol would lower the rates of crime, violence, and immigration, the 18th amendment was passed over President Wilson’s veto. Opposed to this theory, modernists believed that the consumption of alcohol was based on the individual’s decision and that it was a common part of everyday life; the elimination of alcohol was not the answer to purifying society. This modern belief led to the development of speakeasies, where alcohol was illegally sold, and an increase in bootleggers, which were people who sold the alcohol. In fact, the entire fundamentalist goal for prohibition went to turmoil as crime rates actually increased during this time period, more specifically, organized crime. Despite prohibition, people still found a way to buy and consume alcohol. The battle between a law based on traditional beliefs and the dawn of a new era left cities, such as Chicago, lawless and in the hands of gangsters like Al Capone.
Provided with new opportunities in the 20s, women created an unfamiliar image for themselves that vastly differed from the typical perception of an American woman. Traditionally, it was thought that women had to be for their families, meaning everything they did had to center around taking care of their family. It was expected of her to get married, have children, and spend the rest of her life caring for the children and the house they lived in. This traditionality remained in most rural parts of the United States during the 20s; however, in more urban areas, women finally became for themselves. Women had the option to develop careers, and although marriage became more of a romantic subject, they did not have to get married at all. Women in the 20s also became more active in social events, such as going to bars, parties, and other gatherings. The traditional feminine look was done away with
