Name: _________________________________________________

1920s DBQ Organization:

The Clash between Traditionalism and Modernism
DIRECTIONS: Complete the chart below with your group using your DBQ packet. This will help you organize our documents and craft an argument
in response to the following question:

Were the 1920s a decade of nonconformity and intolerance? Why or why not?

Category

Prohibition
(Part I of
DBQ packet)

Summary of Changes and

Tensions from Two-Column
notes (Reading, The Clash
between Traditionalism and
Modernism)
During the 1920s, the Eighteenth
Amendment prohibited the
manufacture, sale, or transport of
alcoholic beverages during a period
called Prohibition. Drys were
people who believed that the
prohibition of alcohol would curb
crime and reinforce traditionalist
values. Wets opposed
Prohibition on the grounds that it
restricted personal freedom and
bred crime (through bootlegging).

List three TENSIONS

and the Document # from
the DBQ Packet

Evidence of each tension (with Doc

# cited)

1)

1)

2)

2)

3)

3)

Do these tensions
represent conformity and
tolerance, or
nonconformity and
intolerance? Why or why
not?

Category

Summary of Changes and Tensions

List three TENSIONS and
from Two-Column notes (Reading,
the Document # from the
The Clash between
DBQ Packet
Traditionalism and Modernism)

Evidence of each tension (with Doc #

cited)

1)

1)

2)

2)

3)

3)

1)

1)

2)

2)

3)

3)

Do these tensions represent

conformity and tolerance, or
nonconformity and
intolerance? Why or why
not?

Women
(Part III of
DBQ packet)

Youth
(Part IV of
DBQ packet)

During the 1920s, a new youth

culture started to emerge thanks to
increased public education and
other social organizations for
young people. Young people
believed that the previous
generations were being repressive
toward their more modern culture,
and embodied this spirit in the
flapper image. Adults,
meanwhile, felt that the youth were
reckless and immoral, particularly
when it came to dating and sex.

More space on next page

2

Category

Science &
Religion

Summary of Changes and Tensions

List three TENSIONS and
from Two-Column notes (Reading,
the Document # from the
The Clash between
DBQ Packet
Traditionalism and Modernism)

Evidence of each tension (with Doc #

cited)

During the 1920s, traditionalists

and modernists clashed over
whether science and religion could
co-exist. Modernists embraced
science, and in particular Charles
Darwins theories of evolution and
natural selection. Traditionalists
opposed Darwins theories and
believed in creationism (the belief
that God created the universe).
This debate was played out in the
Scopes Trial in 1925.

1)

1)

2)

2)

3)

3)

Do these tensions represent

conformity and tolerance, or
nonconformity and
intolerance? Why or why
not?

(Part II of
DBQ packet)

Category

Race
(Part V of
DBQ packet)

Urban Vs.
Rural
(Part VI of
DBQ packet)

Summary of Changes and Tensions

List three TENSIONS and
from Two-Column notes (Reading,
the Document # from the
The Clash between
DBQ Packet
Traditionalism and Modernism)

Evidence of each tension (with Doc #

cited)

During the 1920s, thousands of

1)
African Americans moved to
northern industrial cities in search
of jobs during a period called the
Great Migration. This caused
tension with northern workers, and
erupted in riots in cities such as St. 2)
Louis. Meanwhile, the KKK grew
in membership as it called for a
defense of rural, traditionalist
values, in addition to racial
discrimination. It dominated local
and state politics throughout
3)
various parts of the country.

1)

During the 1920s, the population

of America began to change by
more people moving out of rural
areas (countryside) into cities, lured
by high wages, more jobs, and
modern culture.

1)

1)

2)

2)

3)

3)

Urban areas represented modernist

values and enjoyed prosperity,
while rural farmers were hurt by
low crop prices and resented
attacks on their traditionalist views.

Do these tensions represent

conformity and tolerance, or
nonconformity and
intolerance? Why or why
not?

2)

3)

More space on next page

4

1)

1)

2)

2)

3)

3)

Mass Media
(Part VII of
DBQ packet)