The Prohibition Era Why dont they pass a

The Prohibition Era “Why don’t they pass a Constitutional amendment prohibiting anyone from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on the Earth. ” Will Rogers

Cell Phone Simulation Questions 1) For those of you who have cell phones, etc. . . what were your initial reactions? Tell me what you really thought. 2) Do you think people would’ve still brought cell phones to school? Why or why not? 3) Do you think this would be an effective way to try and eliminate cell phones from school? Why or why not? 4) How could this simulation possibly tie to prohibition? (the outlawing of alcohol. )

What were the Reasons for Prohibition? 1) Religious groups viewed drinking as sinful 2) Reformers believed the government should protect the public health. 3) Belief that alcohol led to crime, abuse and accidents. 4) Resentment of small towns of growing urban power and of urban culture.

What did the 18 th Amendment do? 1) Banned the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages. 2) Took effect January of 1920. 3) Federal Prohibition Bureau created to enforce law - Only 1500 agents to police the entire country. This agency was set up by the VOLSTEAD ACT. *Movie Clips

What was the response to Prohibition? 1) Speakeasies - Underground drinking - Hidden nightclubs and saloons. - Known as speakeasies because once inside one spoke quietly to avoid detection. - Needed some type of password to enter. - Law enforcement often looked the other way due to bribes and allowed these illegal establishments to flourish. - Who attended speakeasies and became criminals? - Middle and upper class men and women.

What was the response to Prohibition? 2) Bootleggers - Smugglers who sold alcohol - Became more of a sport then a crime (NASCAR)

What was the response to Prohibition? 3) Organized Crime - In major cities underworld gangs realized the opportunity prohibition allowed for. - These gangs/individuals made and sold liquor and pocketed huge sums of money. - Al Capone of Chicago is the most infamous

Why did Prohibition Fail? 1) By the mid 1920 s only 19% of Americans support Prohibition. 2) Many Americans considered the increase in crime and lawlessness worse then the problems prohibition had set out to correct. 3) 1933 the 21 st Amendment repeals the 18 th Amendment and ends the era of Prohibition.

Questions? ? “Difficult Decisions in History” 1) Pros and cons of each. Which do you agree with? 2) If you were a legislator and were asked to vote for the 18 th Amendment, what would you have said? Explain. 3) What issues might the experiment of prohibition relate to today? Should the Government attempt to prohibit immoral behavior? (Examples/Reasons)