Essential Question:
Would you consider the government's passage of the 18th Amendment an over-reaction to the problem of alcohol? How do the actions of gangsters/bootleggers support the position that the government and temperance leaders had gone too far?
The passing of the 18th Amendment was a total over-reaction to the problem of alcohol. Rather than stopping the drinking of alcohol to promote moral behavior, it brought along crime and filth to America. The illegal actions of gangsters and bootleggers support this idea as the passing of the 18th Amendment let their criminal activities prosper. The government went over their heads as they could not stop the criminal activities occurring due to the 18th Amendment. Worst crimes were also being committed and not taken being taken care of as the police were being bribed and most unable to stop everyone at once.
The passing of the 18th Amendment was a total over-reaction to the problem of alcohol. Rather than stopping the drinking of alcohol to promote moral behavior, it brought along crime and filth to America. The illegal actions of gangsters and bootleggers support this idea as the passing of the 18th Amendment let their criminal activities prosper. The government went over their heads as they could not stop the criminal activities occurring due to the 18th Amendment. Worst crimes were also being committed and not taken being taken care of as the police were being bribed and most unable to stop everyone at once.
Key Points:
18th Amendment: The 18th Amendment passed on December 18, 1917. It established the prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the United States. However, the prohibition was overall a failure. The prohibition resulted in a high public demand for illegal alcohol, making criminals of producers and consumers. Speakeasies were set up all over to sell alcohol, and bootleggers illegally transported liquor. The Volstead Act set down methods of enforcing the Eighteenth Amendment, and defined which "intoxicating liquors" were prohibited, and which were excluded from prohibition. This act did not work however as the criminal justice system was swamped. Although police forces and courts had expanded in recent years, prisons were jam-packed and court dockets were behind in trying to deal with the rapid surge in crimes. Organized crime vastly expanded to deal with the lucrative business, and there was widespread corruption among those charged with enforcing unpopular laws.
Gangsters: Al Capone and Bonnie and Clyde were some of the most notorious criminals during this time period. Their contributes to crime is still evident today. Gangsters like Al Capone were not as widely big as they were made out to be. The fascination of crime was spark by the new modern culture of the 1920s. Many gangsters would not have been known it is wasn't for the government's inability to enforce laws and limit bribery of government officials. Criminals of this time period were famous because they were not caught not just because of their crimes.The 1920s also have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime because many banks were robbed during this time costing millions to the people over the U.S.
Gangsters: Al Capone and Bonnie and Clyde were some of the most notorious criminals during this time period. Their contributes to crime is still evident today. Gangsters like Al Capone were not as widely big as they were made out to be. The fascination of crime was spark by the new modern culture of the 1920s. Many gangsters would not have been known it is wasn't for the government's inability to enforce laws and limit bribery of government officials. Criminals of this time period were famous because they were not caught not just because of their crimes.The 1920s also have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime because many banks were robbed during this time costing millions to the people over the U.S.
Thinking Like a Historian: Cause and Effect
The passing of the 18th Amendment supported by the Anti-Saloon League led to the coming of many events in the 1920s. Many women and traditionalists support the 18th Amendment as it promoted what they believed was moral behavior. The 18th Amendment brought along the Volstead Act which aimed to limit alcohol and enforce the 18th Amendment. This failed however as bootleggers and speakeasies took advantage of weak government enforcements that had almost no effect. Crime rose as illegal activities flourished as swamped police enforcement tried to control the unstoppable wave of new crime. The 18th Amendment failed as it spurred more illegal activity rather than ending it. This effect all of America as criminals stole and took advantage over others with almost no one to stop them. The passing of the 18th Amendment caused more harm than good as it created more crime and immoral behavior.
APPARTS
This propaganda poster created the Marriage and Divorce Special Report U.S. Census Bureau was meant to convince the reader that the prohibition of alcohol was positive as it kept traditional values in place. The Bureau was trying to promote prohibition by conveying the message that alcohol breaks up marriages and causes abuse. The intended audience for this poster was those who could drink especially those who were married. If the source was created differently it could have been adjusted to younger drinking adults. This poster was one of many trying to stop the drinking of alcohol in the U.S. though they were not very successful. Posters like these were used to promote the passing of the 18th Amendment as it was relevant during this time period.This poster also shows how the government had gone too far in the passing of the 18th Amendment. They tried to portray the evils of alcohol but in the end, the 18th Amendment was more harmful than good.
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Vocabulary:
Speakeasy - a salon or night club selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during prohibition
Bootlegger - alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, sold, or transported, without registration or payment of taxes
Bootlegger - alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, sold, or transported, without registration or payment of taxes