About the book
Using the Tennessee antievolution 'Monkey Law,' authored by a local legislator, as a measure of how conservatives successfully resisted, co-opted, or ignored reform efforts, Jeanette Keith explores conflicts over the meaning and cost of progress in Tennessee’s hill country from 1890 to 1925.
Until the 1890s, the Upper Cumberland was dominated by small farmers who favored limited government and firm local control of churches and schools. Farm men controlled their families' labor and opposed economic risk taking; farm women married young, had large families, and produced much of the family’s sustenance. But the arrival of the railroad in 1890 transformed the local economy. Farmers battled town dwellers for control of community institutions, while Progressives called for cultural, political, and economic modernization. Keith demonstrates how these conflicts affected the region’s mobilization for World War I, and she argues that by the 1920s shifting gender roles and employment patterns threatened traditionalists' cultural hegemony. According to Keith, religion played a major role in the adjustment to modernity, and local people united to support the 'Monkey Law' as a way of confirming their traditional religious values.
Editions of Country People in the New South
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807822111
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807845264
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807862407
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890885104
Read an Excerpt
Using the Tennessee antievolution 'Monkey Law,' authored by a local legislator, as a measure of how conservatives successfully resisted, co-opted, or ignored reform efforts, Jeanette Keith explores conflicts over the meaning and cost of progress in Tennessee’s hill country from 1890 to 1925.
Until the 1890s, the Upper Cumberland was dominated by small farmers who favored limited government and firm local control of churches and schools. Farm men controlled their families' labor and opposed economic risk taking; farm women married young, had large families, and produced much of the family’s sustenance. But the arrival of the railroad in 1890 transformed the local economy. Farmers battled town dwellers for control of community institutions, while Progressives called for cultural, political, and economic modernization. Keith demonstrates how these conflicts affected the region’s mobilization for World War I, and she argues that by the 1920s shifting gender roles and employment patterns threatened traditionalists' cultural hegemony. According to Keith, religion played a major role in the adjustment to modernity, and local people united to support the 'Monkey Law' as a way of confirming their traditional religious values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Country People in the New South about?
Using the Tennessee antievolution 'Monkey Law,' authored by a local legislator, as a measure of how conservatives successfully resisted, co-opted, or ignored reform efforts, Jeanette Keith explores conflicts over the meaning and cost of progress in Tennessee’s hill country from 1890 to 1925.
Until the 1890s, the Upper Cumberland was dominated by small farmers who favored limited government and firm local control of churches and schools. Farm men controlled their families' labor and opposed economic risk taking; farm women married young, had large families, and produced much of the family’s sustenance. But the arrival of the railroad in 1890 transformed the local economy. Farmers battled town dwellers for control of community institutions, while Progressives called for cultural, political, and economic modernization. Keith demonstrates how these conflicts affected the region’s mobilization for World War I, and she argues that by the 1920s shifting gender roles and employment patterns threatened traditionalists' cultural hegemony. According to Keith, religion played a major role in the adjustment to modernity, and local people united to support the 'Monkey Law' as a way of confirming their traditional religious values.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Country People in the New South?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Country People in the New South?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807822111
How long is Country People in the New South and how many pages does it have?
Country People in the New South has 312 page(s)
Is Country People in the New South part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Studies in Rural Culture
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Country People in the New South?
Jeanette Keith
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Country People in the New South is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807822111) and paperback(ISBN 9780807845264) and ebook(ISBN 9780807862407) and pdf(ISBN 9798890885104)
Where can I buy Country People in the New South online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Country People in the New South from below
Where can I buy Country People in the New South?