The Clash Between Youth Culture and Southern Conservatism at the College of William and Mary in the 1920s

Abstract

As F. Scott Fitzgerald foreshadowed in The Scandal Detectives, young people of the 1920s were to shape the course of the twentieth century. This decade represents one of the most significant periods in the history of the United States, redefining and reorienting American culture permanently. This era also shaped the College of William and Mary as it witnessed both physical expansion of the campus and greater student numbers than ever before. As enrollment swelled, the College became fertile ground for the youth revolution disseminating through universities across the country. However, despite the prevalence of cultural fads in movies and other outlets, students at the College were significantly less influenced by the youth culture movement than their peers at other universities. This may be largely attributed to J.A.C. Chandler, the conservative Baptist President of the College from 1919-1934 who maintained a strict watch over his students to ensure propriety at all times. The stringent rules that all students were expected to obey greatly hindered the levels of student expression seen at other universities. However, in other important regards, College students were extremely innovative, contributing to the youth culture movement that characterized the 1920s and redefined American culture.