Prohibition In The 1920’s Mike Bullard and Liam O’Laughlin

Overview “National Prohibition of alcohol (1920-33)--The noble experiment-- was undertaken to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America.” (cato.org) Prohibition was a controversial decision that divided the nation.

The 18th Amendment The 18th Amendment of the Constitution prohibited the “manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.” When the amendment came before the Senate in 1917, it was passed by a one-sided vote after 13 hours of debate.

Support of Prohibition Initially, many Americans supported the idea of prohibition. They believed that prohibition reduced the number of deaths, divorces, accidents and poverty. The supporters of prohibition believed that the movement was a success, but there was a lot of different opinions about whether it was successful or not. Many prohibitionist believed that drinking liquor was immoral. Others wanted to take away the power of the urban political machines that operated their illegal businesses through saloons.

Opposition to Prohibition There were many people that were against prohibition. These people believed that it was senseless for people to try and enforce the impossible. Drinking was part of everyday life for people and they didn’t want that taken away It also took away income for saloon owners nation wide and also anybody who profited from the sale of alcohol. Overall people enjoyed being able to have alcohol when they wanted and they didn’t want the right taken away from them.

Prohibition Supporters Women’s Christian Temperance Union These women were one of the main groups fighting for prohibition. Their efforts made prohibition attractive to many reformer’s and these women changed the opinions of many people. Reformers were also attracted to prohibition because they would be able to take out many urban political bosses at the same time since many bosses operated out of these saloons. Anti-Saloon League The anti saloon league was another prohibition powerhouse One of their main goals was the legal prohibition of alcohol. They made anti-drinking brochures The members of the league tried to gain support from church members, law makers, business men, and political figure heads in order to get the law passed

The "Ladies of Logan"

Medicinal Alcohol Medicinal alcohol was one of very few ways to get alcohol during the 1920’s. Physicians could prescribe alcohol like whiskey and brandy on prescription forms. Alcohol like these have been known since ancient times to have medicinal value that was needed in order to help an individuals health. The government rarely allowed the manufacturing of these alcohol's when supply was running low

Bootlegging Bootlegging became one of the most profitable business of this time. Illegal Saloons known as “speakeasies” could be found all over large cities and almost in every town. The owners of these underground saloons sometimes produced their own homemade alcohol but also many imported it. In the cities, gangs fought for control over the speakeasies which created a lot of violence within the cities. Alphonse “scarface al” Capone ran bootlegging business all throughout Chicago. He was one of the most well known gang leaders of his time.

Al “Scarface” Capone

Pros and Cons Pros People believed that prohibition would reduce deaths, divorces, accidents and poverty. Also, some believe that by eliminating the saloons, they would be able to take out urban political bosses. Cons Many believed at there was no point because it was impossible to eliminate alcohol. Increase of number of inmates in prison. There was a lot more crimes being committed due to prohibition Rise of homicide rate.

Homicide Rate

Results of Prohibition Overall, prohibition was considered a failure The people of America grew more and more annoyed with the amendment as the years went on. Many people in America liked drinking alcohol, and were willing to break the law to do so. Organized crime grew and many other things rised like homicides, due to prohibition This is ironic because the prohibitionists original plan backfired and did the exact opposite.

Sources http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/4399/ http://prohibition.history.ohio-state.edu/proh1920.htm http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/lectures/lecture17.html http://id.essortment.com/historyprohibit_pmh.htm http://www.riverwalk.org/proglist/showpromo/prohibition.htm

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