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Prohibition

Prohibition. 19th Century Background for Prohibition. Second Great Awakening sought to remake society in God's image. This sentiment extended to civic life with the formation of thousands of Temperance societies.

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Prohibition

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  1. Prohibition

  2. 19th Century Background for Prohibition • Second Great Awakening sought to remake society in God's image. • This sentiment extended to civic life with the formation of thousands of Temperance societies. • Successful in reducing consumption and encouraging stricter state regulation of alcohol. Lyman Beecher was a famous social activist of the day who was particularly concerned about the negative impact of alcohol on society.

  3. Temperance Cartoons In the 1850 engraving, "The Drunkard's Home," a cowering family in a squalid home is subjected to the whims of a brutal patriarch.By contrast, the 1850 engraving, "The Temperance Home," depicts a scene of domestic harmony, order, affection, and material comfort.

  4. Question Set #1 • 1. According to Beecher, what are the ill effects of alcohol on the individual, society, and the family? • 2. Why does Lincoln praise the Washington Temperance Society (the "Washingtonians") as a more effective temperance promotion agency than the old establishment of preachers and lawyers?

  5. Question Set #2 Temperance Cartoons • The pair of 1855 illustrations, "Tree of Temperance" and "Tree of Intemperance," are rich with symbolic and literal depictions of the consequences of each lifestyle. • Identify and list the symbolic aspects in each of the "Tree" cartoons.

  6. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union • The WCTU fought for prohibition and progressive reform. • Frances Willard was the national president of the union from 1879 to 1898. • Focused on suffrage, the 8-hour work day, prison reform, and the Social Gospel.

  7. The Anti-Saloon League • The Anti-Saloon League focused only on the legal prohibition of alcoholic beverages. • Developed modern lobbying techniques. • Printed anti-drinking brochures, appealed to church members for support, and lobbied both lawmakers and businessmen. Members of the Anti-Saloon League meet in Chicago.

  8. Question Set #3 Carrie Nation: The Saloon Smasher • Member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. • Known for bursting into barrooms, wielding a hatchet or hammer, and smashing the saloon. • Between 1900 and 1910, Nation was arrested some thirty times for her aggressive tactics. • Do you think Carrie Nation's tactics were justified? Why or why not?

  9. The Volstead Act • The 18th Amendment was ratified in 1919 and took effect in 1920. • The Volstead Act clarified the new rules surrounding prohibition. • President Wilson vetoed the Volstead Act on constitutional grounds. • His veto was overridden by Congress. Special stamps were required for medicinal liquors under the Volstead Act.

  10. Question set #4 • 1. What exceptions to prohibition did the Volstead Act include?2. What do you think Wilson's rationale for being opposed to prohibition but supportive of temperance was?

  11. Songs of Prohibition • Reaction to Prohibition? • Speakeasies (illegal bars) • Bootlegging (smuggling of alcohol)

  12. Question #5 The crusader… • As you read the “Booze Sermon” list 3-4 reasons why Billy Sunday believes in Prohibition.

  13. "A Noble Experiment" • The sale, transport, and consumption of intoxicating beverages became illegal. • Many law-abiding Americans defied the regulations. • The black market for alcohol was a boon for organized crime. Detroit police discover a clandestine still

  14. Question #6 • Looking at Statistics and LaGuardia and Federal Council of Churches readings answer these questions… • 1. List some arguments for and against Prohibition. Which side of the debate is most legitimate to you and why?2. Compare and contrast Prohibition to today's War on Drugs. Is the war successful? Why/whynot?

  15. The 21st Amendment • Prohibition was unenforceable. • Many deaths occurred from bootleg liquor. • Political corruption increased. • Smuggling grew out of control. • During the Depression the potential jobs and tax revenue from the legalization of liquor increasingly attractive to struggling Americans. • Thus, in 1933, the noble experiment of Prohibition came to a close with the ratification of the 21st Amendment

  16. Al Capone • By 1927 he was earning some $60 million a year from bootlegging. • His gang was like a private army. He had 700 men under his control. • He was responsible for over 500 murders. • On 14th February 1929, Capone’s men dressed as police officers murdered 7 members of a rival gang. This became known as the ‘Valentine’s Day Massacre.’

  17. Organized Crime • The enormous profits to be made attracted gangsters who started to take control of many cities. • They bribed the police, judges and politicians. • They controlled the speakeasies and the distilleries, and ruthlessly exterminated their rivals.

  18. The most famous of the gangsters of the 1920s was Al Capone.

  19. Gangsters ran bootlegging industries and turned a huge profit. Unfortunately, they became rivals with other gangs, especially in big cities, leading to more violent crime.

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