The Roaring Twenties 7 The American Dream Prohibition

The Roaring Twenties 7 The American Dream

Prohibition in the United States was a major reform movement sponsored by evangelical Protestant churches from the 1840 s into the 1920 s. The Women's Christian Temperance Union, founded in 1874, and the Prohibition Party were major players until the early 20 th century, when the movement was taken over by the Anti-Saloon League.

Prohibition Congress passed the "Volstead Act" on October 28, 1919, to enforce the law, but most large cities were uninterested in enforcing the legislation, leaving an understaffed federal service to go after bootleggers. Although alcohol consumption did decline, there was a dramatic rise in organized crime in the larger cities, which now had a cash crop that was in high demand.

Prohibition became increasingly unpopular during the Great Depression, as the repeal movement, led by conservative Democrats and Catholics, emphasized that repeal would generate enormous sums of much needed tax revenue, and weaken the base of organized crime. The Repeal of Prohibition in the United States was accomplished with the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution on December 5, 1933. By its terms, states were allowed to set their own laws for the control of alcohol.

Al Capone Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone (January 17, 1899 – January 25, 1947) was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early 1920 s to 1931.

Al Capone Despite his illegitimate occupation, Capone became a highly visible public figure. He made various charitable endeavors using the money he made from his activities, and was viewed by many to be a "modern-day Robin Hood". On January 25, 1947, he died from cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke.

Al Capone

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The American Dream In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

The American Dream The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. "

The American Dream In essence, the American Dream is the idea that if you work hard enough, no matter where you come from, you can succeed and prosper in America. This idea is what drove many people to immigrate here. Those who work hard enough can achieve success, wealth and fame. Is the American Dream still alive? Is the American Dream flawed?