Editing Square dance (section)

==== Modern western square dance ====
{{Further|Modern western square dance}}
Modern western square dance, which is also called ''western square dance'', ''contemporary western square dance'', or ''modern American square dance'', evolved from the western style of traditional square dance.

Industrialist [[Henry Ford]] popularized the form, believing that [[Antisemitism|Jews invented jazz as a plot]] to [[Degenerate art|corrupt society]] and that this plot could be counteracted by returning America to dances and musical styles that he saw as traditional and white. As a result, beginning in the early 1920s, he used his wealth to promote square dancing, through books and square dancing events. Ford also promoted square dance classes in public school, which were present in half of all American schools by 1928 as part of the standard physical education curriculum. Modern western square dance evolved in square dance events funded by Ford, using direction and guidance prepared by Colorado school superintendent Lloyd "Pappy" Shaw.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pennacchia |first1=Robin |title=America’s wholesome square dancing tradition is a tool of white supremacy |url=https://qz.com/1153516/americas-wholesome-square-dancing-tradition-is-a-tool-of-white-supremacy |website=Quartz |access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>

 Since the 1970s, modern western square dance has been promoted and standardized by [[Callerlab]], the International Association of Square Dance Callers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=For The Public|url=http://www.callerlab.org/For-The-Public|access-date=2020-10-10|website=www.callerlab.org}}</ref>[[File:Dance. Square Dancing at North Branch Y.M.C.A BAnQ P48S1P06773.jpg|thumb|A square dance in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]] in 1941]]The initial stage reached by all dancers is called Mainstream. This program consists of a core list of about 70 moves which is revised periodically.<ref name=":4">Callerlab (2020-02-22). "History." ''Basic Dance Program Definitions''. ''Callerlab.org'', http://www.callerlab.org/Dance-Programs p.6. Accessed 2020-10-10.</ref><ref name=":5">Callerlab (2020-02-22). "History." ''Mainstream Dance Program Definitions''. ''Callerlab.org'', http://www.callerlab.org/Dance-Programs p.5. Accessed 2020-10-10.</ref> Modern western square dance is sometimes presented in alternation with [[Round dance (ballroom)|round dance]]s. This modern form of square dancing is taught in around 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, China, Japan, and Russia. Within Europe, the majority of square dance clubs are in Germany and the United Kingdom. All teach the Callerlab syllabus, but there are slight style and call title variations throughout the world. Because of this standardization, anyone with the proper training can dance modern western square dancing in many countries around the world. Instruction is typically given in the local language, but the calls are always in English, allowing people to dance internationally once they learn the calls.