A2 History The USA 1917-54 Boom, Bust and Recovery Lesson Four: Why was Prohibition introduced?

1. A2 History The USA 1917-54 Boom, Bust and Recovery Lesson Four: Why was Prohibition introduced?

2. STARTER: What do you already know about Prohibition? You have five minutes, working together to come up with as many facts as possible. Can you ‘bowl me over’ with your knowledge!

3. By the end of the lesson YOUwill: • Know the key differences between Wets and Dry’s. • Understand the political situation surrounding Prohibition. • Be able to explain the key reasons as to why Prohibition was introduced.

4. Why was Prohibition introduced? • The Prohibition movement was not unique to the US. At the turn of the century other countries were experimenting with limiting or banning the production and consumption of alcohol. At the same time as America was going through the process, Canada also passed Prohibition laws. To find the origins of Prohibition it is necessary to look back into the nineteenth century: • 1826 American Society for the Promotion of Temperance was formed in Boston. By 1834, there were over 5000 branches. • 1840 Washington Temperance Society was formed to rehabilitate alcoholics – quickly became a national organisation. • 1874 Women’s Christian Temperance Movement was formed by Frances Willard. • 1895 Anti-Saloon League was officially founded.

5. Watch the following short advertisement in favour of Prohibition. What reasons are put forward for adopting the measure?

6. Why was Prohibition introduced? YOUR TASK: Placed around the room are various statements. Read through each carefully. Decide what reason is provided for the introduction of Prohibition. Make a note of these reasons and also of the types of people that are in favour of Prohibition.

7. Why was Prohibition introduced? Religious Reasons Alcohol was seen as at the root of moral decline. Patriotic Reasons US was fighting in WWI – many of the brewers were German. Improve Health Economic Reasons Believed that efficiency would be increased in the workplace. Reduce Poverty Reduce Crime Improve the position of Women Organised Campaign Anti-Saloon League, Women’s Christian Temperance Movement Disorganisation of Opposition

8. PLENARY: Look back at the list of things that you already knew about Prohibition at the start of the lesson. Try to add at least five new things that you have learnt this lesson.

9. I fully support the introduction of Prohibition. Alcohol is one of the main causes of reduced efficiency within the work place. If workers do not have access to alcohol, they will arrive at work focussed and alert for the tasks ahead. This will mean that production will increase and therefore, so will profits. Henry Ford Car Manufacturer

10. I am fully of the opinion that Prohibition will increase efficiency within the workplace and support fully the work of the Anti-Saloon League. John D Rockefellar Wealthy Industrialist

11. ‘Scientific research has demonstrated that alcohol is a poison, it lowers to an appalling degree the character of our citizens, thereby weakening public morals and democracy, (it) provides widespread crime, poverty and insanity and thousands of citizens, and leads to their children being born handicapped.’ A member of Congress.

12. Alcohol undoubtedly leads to poverty and violence within the home. Haven’t we all heard the story of poor little Jimmy who has no dinner because his father has spent his wages in the saloon or of his mother who has to suffer at the hands of her husband when he arrives home drunk. Let us have no more of this. Let us have Prohibition. Women’s Christian Temperance Movement.

13. While our brave men are away fighting is it not wrong to be lining the pockets of companies such as Pabst and Busch? Anti-Saloon League. Brewing uses up the equivalent of 11 million loaves of barley a day. This could have been used to feed the USA’s Allies.

14. Alcohol is the work of the Devil. It is at the root of the moral decline in our country. If we are to prevent sin and wrongdoing then we must introduce Prohibition. Methodist Minister.

15. We were founded in 1918 by WH Stayton. We received financial help from the brewers and distillers which helped us to organise marches and rallies. Organisation Against the Prohibition Amendment