Cultural Tension Sources in the 1920s

The 1920s was a decade of riotous living and prosperity. However, apart from education and religion, two other notable sources of cultural tension were immigration and sexual morality. After the First World War, the US received millions of immigrants who filled the streets and parts of the country. In 1924, the immigration act limited the number of immigrants allowed into the country, excluding all Asians. Moreover, a growing preference for leisure and glamour in the 1920s facilitated an ever-increasing interest in the expression of sexuality. Contrary to societal expectations and values at the time, both women and men engaged in risky sexual practices, drugs, raves, and some even paid to see explicit sexual behaviors. These social attributes had a substantial impact on American culture.