In the 19th century, a movement called the temperance movement began to gain momentum in the United States. This movement, along with the Anti-Saloon League, argued that alcohol was harming American society by breaking up families and encouraging corruption. When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson temporarily stopped the production of alcohol to save grain for the war effort. This decision was also supported by religious and moral beliefs that alcohol should be restricted. The anti-drinking groups used this opportunity to push for a permanent ban on alcohol.
In January 1919, the 18th Amendment was ratified, and by January 1920, prohibition officially began in the United States. This law made it illegal to manufacture and sell alcohol. Initially, there was a drop in arrests for drunkenness, but enforcing the law proved to be a major challenge. The demand for alcohol remained high, and there were not enough prohibition agents to enforce the law effectively. As a result, people found creative ways to produce and distribute alcohol illegally. Bootleggers made homemade alcohol like moonshine and bathtub gin, and smuggled it into cities and bars. Some bars turned into secret venues called speakeasies, where illegal alcohol was sold.
Speakeasies attracted a wide range of people from different parts of society. Organized crime groups saw an opportunity to profit from prohibition. Notorious figures like Al Capone and Bugs Moran fought for control over the illegal alcohol trade, leading to gang violence and a surge in crime across the country. Between 1927 and 1930, there were hundreds of gang-related murders. One of the most infamous events was the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago in 1929, where members of Moran’s gang were killed by men believed to be working for Capone, some disguised as police officers.
Although Capone was never officially linked to the massacre, he was eventually caught by a prohibition agent named Eliot Ness for breaking prohibition laws and for tax evasion. Around the same time, the Wickersham Commission released a report highlighting the failures of prohibition. The report noted that many Americans were against the law, and that prohibition agents were too few and often bribed. Instead of reducing crime, prohibition seemed to have increased it.
In February 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment, which ended prohibition. During the prohibition era, millions of dollars that could have gone to the legal brewing industry ended up in the hands of bootleggers.
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Design a poster that could have been used by the temperance movement in the 19th century. Use persuasive language and imagery to convey the message that alcohol is harmful to society. Consider the historical context and the arguments used by the movement to make your poster convincing.
Participate in a classroom debate on whether prohibition had a positive or negative impact on American society. Research both sides of the argument, considering the rise of organized crime and the initial drop in alcohol-related arrests. Present your findings and defend your position with evidence from the era.
In groups, create a short skit set in a 1920s speakeasy. Include characters such as bootleggers, patrons, and law enforcement. Highlight the secretive nature of these establishments and the social dynamics at play. Perform your skit for the class, showcasing the atmosphere and challenges of the prohibition era.
Choose a notorious figure from the prohibition era, such as Al Capone or Bugs Moran, and research their role in organized crime. Create a presentation that includes their background, criminal activities, and impact on society. Discuss how prohibition contributed to their rise in power.
Read excerpts from the Wickersham Commission report on the failures of prohibition. Analyze the reasons given for its ineffectiveness and discuss whether you agree with the commission’s conclusions. Write a short essay on how the report influenced the eventual repeal of prohibition.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
U.S. Prohibition (1920 to 1933)
The growing temperance movement in the 19th century, along with the Anti-Saloon League, argued that drinking alcohol was damaging American society by destroying families and fostering corruption. During World War I, as America entered the conflict in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson put a temporary end to the manufacture of alcohol to conserve grain for the war effort. Religious and moral reasons also fueled the desire to restrict alcohol. The anti-drinking movements took advantage of this sentiment to encourage the government to make prohibition a permanent law.
In January 1919, the 18th Amendment was ratified, and prohibition began in the United States in January 1920, making the manufacture and sale of alcohol illegal. Although arrests for drunkenness initially declined, the law was very difficult to enforce due to the high public demand for illegal alcohol. There weren’t enough prohibition agents to enforce the law effectively. Bootleggers found inventive ways to manufacture and sell liquor, creating homemade moonshine or bathtub gin and smuggling it into cities and bars. Some bars became speakeasies to sell illegal alcohol.
These speakeasies attracted a diverse group of people from various sections of society. Organized crime groups profited from prohibition, with figures like Al Capone and Bugs Moran battling for control over the bootlegging and speakeasy trade, leading to gang violence and a significant crime wave across America. Between 1927 and 1930, there were hundreds of gang murders, the most infamous being the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago in 1929, where Capone’s men, some disguised as policemen, killed several members of Moran’s gang.
The murders were never officially linked to Capone. Eventually, he was brought down by a prohibition agent named Eliot Ness for violating prohibition laws and tax evasion. In the same year, the Wickersham Commission reported on the failures of prohibition, noting that many Americans never wanted the law, and that prohibition agents were too few in number and easily bribed. It was evident that crime had risen rather than decreased due to the illegality of alcohol.
In February 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment, ending prohibition. During this period, millions of dollars worth of business went to bootleggers instead of the brewing industry.
Thank you for your support on the Simple History YouTube channel. If you enjoy the channel, please consider supporting us on Patreon.
Prohibition – The legal act of prohibiting the manufacture, storage, transportation, and sale of alcohol, particularly in the United States from 1920 to 1933. – During Prohibition, many people resorted to illegal methods to obtain alcohol.
Temperance – A social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages, advocating for moderation or complete abstinence. – The temperance movement gained momentum in the early 20th century, leading to the eventual enactment of Prohibition.
Amendment – A change or addition to a legal or statutory document, such as the United States Constitution. – The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution established the prohibition of alcohol.
Alcohol – A volatile, flammable liquid that is the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors, commonly consumed as a beverage. – The debate over alcohol consumption was a central issue during the Prohibition era.
Crime – An action or omission that constitutes an offense and is punishable by law. – The rise in organized crime during Prohibition was a significant challenge for law enforcement.
Bootleggers – Individuals who illegally manufactured, transported, or sold alcoholic beverages during Prohibition. – Bootleggers became notorious figures, supplying illegal alcohol to those who sought it.
Speakeasies – Secret bars or clubs that illegally sold alcohol during the Prohibition era. – Speakeasies were hidden establishments where people gathered to drink and socialize away from the eyes of the law.
Society – A community of people living together and interacting within a shared environment, often governed by common laws and cultural norms. – The impact of Prohibition on society was profound, affecting social behaviors and attitudes towards law and order.
Enforcement – The act of compelling compliance with a law, regulation, or obligation. – The enforcement of Prohibition laws proved to be difficult and costly for the government.
Violence – The use of physical force to harm someone, to damage property, or to intimidate others, often associated with criminal activities. – The Prohibition era saw an increase in violence as rival gangs fought over control of the illegal alcohol trade.
