Two books by George Marsden outline the history:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195300475/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i1
https://www.amazon.com/Reforming-Fundamentalism-Fuller-Seminary-Evangelicalism/dp/0802808700/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1517942491&sr=1-1&keywords=9780802808707
In the late 19th century, Darwin’s theory and the discovery of ANE myths (The Chaldean Account of Genesis, 1876) that predated and paralleled Genesis seemed to threaten the very foundations of Christianity. “Fundamentalism” was the apologetic response.
First, the “fundamentals” of Christianity’s supernatural origins (Jesus’ virgin birth, miracles, resurrection) had to be defended, of course, but the battle primarily revolved around the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, especially in regard to natural history and science. Second, there was the battle against secularism, in which most Christians "instinctively looked back to the recent evangelical heyday and proclaimed that the best way to fight secularism was to bring back the Bible-based civilization that they pictured in their grandparent’s time,” as Marsden puts it. W.J. Bryan’s campaigns against evolution and strong drink are conspicuous examples, as well as super-patriotism, anti-communism, and anti-Catholicism, which actually was anti-immigrant sentiment, since the major immigrant groups of the early 20th century were Irish, Italian, and Central European Catholics. It’s no accident that the KKK was a “respectable” political organization in the aftermath of WWI.
What were the results of this first culture war? It was a disaster. Within one generation (1890-1930), the “extraordinary influence of evangelicalism in the public sphere of American culture collapsed,” as Marsden characterized it.
Now, we are in another culture war. What are the battlegrounds? The same as before – inerrancy of the Bible, evolution, and liberal theology on the religious side, and on the nationalistic front, super-patriotism, anti-foreigner, and anti-immigrant sentiments. And what are the results of Culture War II? Church attendance has been sliding since the ’70s, and the Millennial generation is abandoning the faith twice as fast as their parents, the Baby-boomers. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.