1. 1920s – Prohibition and the Speakeasy Prohibition: A period of time in Canadian history where the production, sale, possession, and consumption of alcohol was illegal.

2. Why Ban Alcohol? Temperance groups (WCTU) pressured gov’ts to ban alcohol Temperance groups (WCTU) pressured gov’ts to ban alcohol Alcohol was blamed for: Crime, child and wife abuse, other undesired behaviour… Alcohol was blamed for: Crime, child and wife abuse, other undesired behaviour… And the fact that many men spent their paycheques on alcohol and couldn’t afford to support their family! And the fact that many men spent their paycheques on alcohol and couldn’t afford to support their family! The idea was to ban alcohol and use the saved grain to feed the troops. The idea was to ban alcohol and use the saved grain to feed the troops.

3. The “Speakeasy” “Speakeasy” is a word that refers to an illegal establishment used for selling and drinking alcoholic beverages. “Speakeasy” is a word that refers to an illegal establishment used for selling and drinking alcoholic beverages.

4. 1920s Slang The term “speakeasy” comes from when a bartender would tell a patron to be silent and “speak easy”. The term “speakeasy” comes from when a bartender would tell a patron to be silent and “speak easy”.

5. Very secretive… The establishment had no signs on the door to indicate it was a bar. There was a back door so customers could sneak out when the police were called. The establishment had no signs on the door to indicate it was a bar. There was a back door so customers could sneak out when the police were called.

6. Entertainment In the bars there was food, live bands, and floor shows. In the bars there was food, live bands, and floor shows.

7. Bribes and cops Police were bribed to leave the bar alone or give an advance notice of any planned raid. Police were bribed to leave the bar alone or give an advance notice of any planned raid.

8. Organized Crime Criminals made millions from the sale of alcohol, but the provinces lost MUCH needed tax money. Criminals made millions from the sale of alcohol, but the provinces lost MUCH needed tax money.

9. Available products… You could buy “strong beer” for 25 cents, or “stronger beer” for 50 cents! You could buy “strong beer” for 25 cents, or “stronger beer” for 50 cents! Slang: alcohol also known as giggle water. Slang: alcohol also known as giggle water.

10. Prohibition over!! Most provinces had ended prohibition by the mid 1920s. Most provinces had ended prohibition by the mid 1920s. Not PEI though – it repealed prohibition in 1948! Not PEI though – it repealed prohibition in 1948!