American Fundamentalism

What was fundamentalism in America?

Some Christians in 1920s USA were fundamentalists. They were Protestants who believed the Bible was literal and should be followed very strictly.

What did American fundamentalists believe?

Fundamentalists believed that everything in the Bible happened as it was written and should be taken literally. This included the creation story about how the earth was formed in seven days.

Who were the fundamentalists in America?

Many Americans from all walks of life were fundamentalist Christians, but there were some broad patterns in terms of where they were in 1920s society.

• ❖ They often proclaimed that they had strict morals and traditional values.
• ❖ Although some lived in cities, they were more influential in rural areas and small towns.
• ❖ Many lived in the 'Bible Belt', an area that crossed through the southern and midwestern states of America.
• ❖ Some were very influential. For example, Aimee Semple McPherson used the radio to spread fundamentalist messages and built a huge church in Los Angeles.