The 1920s were a time of big change in the United States, from new technologies being produced, to different ideas of family life, and different cultural values being challenged by new ideas. During this time period, values began to change in response to different factors such as technology, changes in family life, and new ideas of religion and science.
Before the invention of automobiles, traveling was limited. Many middle class and working families were constricted to the city, and farmers were limited to the countryside. The idea of vacations and traveling had only been a luxury for the wealthier class. In the 1920s, with the invention of cars, the middle class and the working class had the dream that they could own a car and travel. This changed the standard of living for many families and what they were able to do because of having a car. Movies and broadcasting started to also change America's mindset about what people do for entertainment. Being able to drive into the city for a night and see a movie was a new concept for Americans. Movies and radios created new ideals for what Americans should own and do.
Movies, cars, and other new technologies started to change family values and morals. The idea of motherhood began to change. The new idea was that not all women have the maternal instinct, and should rely on professional opinions on how to take care of their child. The ideals of family life began to change by being more dedicated to social life. Before the 1920s, most people were focused on their family life more than their social life. Being able to experience new places and new entertainment started to develop youth culture. Schools and colleges started to provide an environment for teenagers to start their own social patterns, hobbies, and develop their own interest in different activities. Schools became a place were teenegers could define themselves, not by their families, but by their social groups.
With all these values changing, fundamentalists were shocked by the abandonment of the traditional beliefs of the Bible. The beliefs, such as Darwinism, created an opposing side about where the human race came from. These two different viewpoints about how humans came to be played a huge role in changing America’s attitude about how the Bible should be interpreted. Fundamentalists believe that the Bible should be interpreted literally because they believe that is how the human race came into existence. Fundamentalism grew so big in the state of Tennessee, that Tennessee created a law that Darwinism was not to be taught in schools. The Scopes Monkey Trial, was an example of a teacher teaching Darwinism in school. The outcome of that trial, changed America’s viewpoint about how the Bible is open for interpretation; people can take it literally word for word or not.
In the 1920s, new ideas, technologies, and lifestyles started to change Americans’ values. The automobile industry created the new standards about being able to travel. The creation of a social life made way for the changing of family life, with different ideas of both motherhood and youth culture. Values made a drastic change in 1920s. The new values helped set goals for Americans and what they wanted out of life. Its safe to say that in the twenties Americans’ values changed, and those new values helped create what America is today.
