Final answer:
The cultural conflicts of the 1920s were primarily caused by the clash between traditional values and modernist views brought about by urbanization, consumerism, and technological advancements. The consequences included a shift towards a more secular society, increased consumerism, and cultural expressions like jazz and flapper fashion, ultimately leading to the contradictions that foretold the financial crash and the Great Depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cultural conflicts of the 1920s in the United States were largely driven by the clash between traditionalism and modernism. As the nation transitioned from a rural, agrarian society to an urban, industrialized one, tensions arose. Traditional values emphasized hard work, close community ties, and strict morals, while modernist values heralded the excitement of the city, with its anonymous crowds and pleasure-seeking attitudes.
The era also saw a boom in consumerism, with credit being used not only for necessities but also luxury items, symbolizing success and trustworthiness. Technologies like the automobile and radio helped disseminate new cultural forms, such as jazz music and the image of the flapper, reflecting a more secular and consumer-oriented society.
This era of cultural transformation was curbed by the advent of the Great Depression, which shattered the facade of prosperity and reminded Americans of the precariousness of material wealth. Additionally, it was a decade marked by contradictions, illustrated by mass immigration alongside the rise of the Second Ku Klux Klan, and the juxtaposition of the flapper image with the implementation of Prohibition.