Essential Questions:
Would you consider the government’s passage of the 18th Amendment an over-reaction to the problem of alcohol?
While over-consumption of alcohol was problem, the government tried to change this problem too fast and on too large of a scale. It was not smart to place a ban all of a sudden because it would just influence crime. Anti-Alcohol laws just increased illegal activity and the government should have done simpler movement against alcohol.
How do the actions of gangsters/bootleggers support the position that the government and temperance leaders had gone too far?
The actions they made supported this idea because a majority of the population was disobeying this law. Many would have abided if they believed the law was appropriate.
Would you consider the government’s passage of the 18th Amendment an over-reaction to the problem of alcohol?
While over-consumption of alcohol was problem, the government tried to change this problem too fast and on too large of a scale. It was not smart to place a ban all of a sudden because it would just influence crime. Anti-Alcohol laws just increased illegal activity and the government should have done simpler movement against alcohol.
How do the actions of gangsters/bootleggers support the position that the government and temperance leaders had gone too far?
The actions they made supported this idea because a majority of the population was disobeying this law. Many would have abided if they believed the law was appropriate.
18th Amendment
How effective was the 18th Amendment? The 18th amendment established prohibition against liquor in the United States. This amendment was a complete failure as no citizens abided by it. There was no strict enforcement and the law was easy to ignore. Citizens would rather deal with being criminals. |
Volstead Act
How did the government deal with violations of the Volstead Act? Businesses that produced alcohol were now taken over by criminals and gangsters after the Volstead Act was passed. Al Capone is known for his work violating this act. It was hard to enforce punishment as gangsters were rich and could often bribe their way out of punishment. The act required anyone involved with alcohol to be tried, but this quickly was abandoned after 6,000 people were tried only one man was sentenced. |
Gangsters & Crime
Why do the 1920s have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime? The 1920s was known for crime as the party atmosphere it put on was perfect to hide organized crime in. After prohibition laws, people turned more into criminal activity. Jobs were scarce during this time so many turned to gangster way of life to support themselves. This time era is known for it's crime because it produced many famous mobsters including Al Capone. Prohibition catalyzed organized crime, as many became willing to be criminals to gain money and alcohol. Is it deserved? The fact that the laws were created and not enforced completely led to misunderstandings and law breaking actions. |
Vocabulary
Speakeasy ~ a place where alcohol was sold in a facility during prohibition, illegal saloons.
Bootlegger ~ alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, consumed, or transported without registrations of payment of taxes.
Speakeasy ~ a place where alcohol was sold in a facility during prohibition, illegal saloons.
Bootlegger ~ alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, consumed, or transported without registrations of payment of taxes.
Thinking Like a Historian ~ Cause and Effect
While over-consumption of alcohol was problem, the government tried to change this problem too fast and on too large of a scale. The prohibition cause many changes, that's for sure. While alcoholism decrease, crime increased as alcohol was still too important to Americans. While the government actually passed the act banning alcohol, many church groups and women's groups supported prohibition. Many citizens did not support the ban so criminals stepped in to get citizens their fix. The decline in alcoholism was intended but the rise in crime was not.
While over-consumption of alcohol was problem, the government tried to change this problem too fast and on too large of a scale. The prohibition cause many changes, that's for sure. While alcoholism decrease, crime increased as alcohol was still too important to Americans. While the government actually passed the act banning alcohol, many church groups and women's groups supported prohibition. Many citizens did not support the ban so criminals stepped in to get citizens their fix. The decline in alcoholism was intended but the rise in crime was not.
APPARTS
Author- Prof. David J. Hanson, PhD Place & Time- around 1997-2012 Prior Knowledge-The prohibition was a period of time when alcohol was banned. It was supported by those who thought saloons were the "cause of all crime, immorality, and filth in American culture"; alcohol is the destroyer of families and marriages, and those who believed that if the nation was sober, they would be ready for a better education. Audience-Those who are curious about the Prohibition, those who are anti-alcohol, and those who needed research for a project, and those who need help with an alcohol problem. Reason-It was written because there are people who want to know about the Prohibition period. The Main Idea-The Volstead Act is the enforcement arm of the 18th amendment. While the 18th amendment was brief and general, the Volstead Act was very complex and 25 pages in length. The main message is about the effects of prohibition and its repeal. The article also stated that the prohibition never really died out and that there are still prohibitionists today. |