Religion and Race

Religion in the USA: 1910-1929

The Protestant Christian faith was the most common in the USA at this time, with approximately 80% of people identifying as protestant.
A launched movement called Fundamentalism aimed to uphold traditional Christian beliefs in the face of modern science and cultural change, especially the theory of evolution.
The Scopes Trial in 1925 highlighted the tense battle between religious fundamentalism and scientific teaching. Teacher John Scopes was tried and convicted, for teaching the theory of evolution against Tennessee state law.
Religion often drove discrimination and xenophobia such as by the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). The KKK was xenophobic, racist, and wanted America to be dominated by White, Protestant Christians.
The Roman Catholic religion was the second most prominent faith, mainly due to the increased immigration from Catholic nations. They often faced discrimination in the predominantly Protestant USA.
Judaism was practised primarily by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Antisemitism was prevalent, with Jews often being denied certain jobs and university placements.

Race and Ethnicity in the USA: 1910-1929

African-Americans remained subject to widespread racial discrimination despite the 19th Amendment abolishing slavery. Racial segregation was legal in southern states under the ‘Jim Crow’ laws.
The Great Migration saw many African-Americans moving north for better economic opportunities and to escape the violence and discriminatory laws of the South.
Lynching frequently occurred during this time period. This violent form of punishment was often used by white mobs against African Americans in the South.
The Red Summer of 1919 saw numerous race riots across the country, as racial tensions rose in the aftermath of World War I.
Mexican immigrants were recruited for low-paying, unskilled labour jobs. Their high population growth led to discrimination and hostility from American nativists who feared job competition.
Asian immigrants faced restrictions like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Gentlemen’s Agreement with Japan, limiting immigration. Asian immigrants were often relegated to low wage labour and excluded from many aspects of American society.
The Ku Klux Klan, originally anti-black, expanded their hatred towards Jews, Catholics and immigrants. At its peak in the 1920s, it was estimated to have between 4 and 5 million active members.
Native Americans continued to face discrimination and were largely confined to reservations, with policies aiming at their cultural assimilation.