PROHIBITION ROOTS OF PROHIBITION 18TH AMENDMENT VOLSTEAD ACT PROBLEMS OF ENFORCEMENT

Anti-alcohol movements had been gaining strength throughout the 19th and early 20th century “Drunkards progress” poster that was issued in several formats throughout the 19th century showing the progression from “a glass of wine with a friend” to “death by suicide”.

PROPAGANDA POSTERS, CARTOONS IN FAVOR OF PROHIBITION

CARRY NATION, A LEADING ACTIVIST OF THE ANTI-TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT SHE, ALONG WITH OTHER WOMEN, WOULD INVADE SALOONS AND SMASH THEM WITH HER AXE. SHE HELPED TO GARNER PUBLIC SUPPORT TO OUTLAW BOOZE.

BILLY SUNDAY WAS A BASEBALL PLAYER WHO BECAME AN EVANGELIST CRUSADING FOR THE PROHIBITION OF ALCOHOL IN AMERICA

THE 18TH AMENDMENT, 1919, MADE PROHIBITION THE LAW OF THE LAND Amendment xviii Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. Section 2. The congress and the several states shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the constitution by the legislatures of the several states, as provided in the constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.

A MAJOR EFFECT OF PROHIBITION WAS THE RISE OF CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS FORMED TO SATISFY THE DEMANDS OF AMERICANS WHO DECIDED THEY WANTED LIQUOR IN SPITE OF THE 18TH AMENDMENT AND VOLSTEAD ACT. SAINT VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE. EVEN NORMAL CITIZENS BEGAN BREAKING THE LAW TO SECURE ALCOHOL

CONGRESSMAN ANDREW VOLSTEAD THE 18TH AMENDMENT WAS ENFORCED BY THE VOLSTEAD ACT, WHICH PASSED DESPITE PRESIDENT WILSON’S VETO IN 1919 VOLSTEAD ACT, LAWS THAT PROVIDED FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF PROHIBITION, BUT IT WAS NEVER PROPERLY ENFORCED DUE TO LACK OF MONEY CONGRESSMAN ANDREW VOLSTEAD

THE VOLSTEAD ACT IN ACTION ASK STUDENTS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS. ANSWER: RAIDS ON HOME-BREWED BEER. THE PHOTOGRAPH IN THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER IS OF AL CAPONE’S BROTHER. SEE FOLLOWING SLIDES FOR MORE ON AL CAPONE.

AL CAPONE A.K.A SCARFACE AL CAPONE GREW UP IN NEW YORK AND BEGAN HIS CRIMINAL CAREER RUNNING ERRANDS FOR THE LOCAL GANGSTER, JOHNNY TORRIO. TORRIO SERVED AS A ROLE MODEL SINCE HE WAS A GENTLEMANLY GANGSTER WHO SEPARATED HIS BUSINESS FROM HIS PRIVATE LIFE. CAPONE’S NEXT FORAY INTO CRIME WAS UNDER FRANK “YALE” WHO WAS THE OPPOSITE OF TORRIO, RULING HIS EMPIRE THROUGH VIOLENCE. CAPONE GOT HIS 3 SCARS AFTER OFFENDING A GANGSTER IN THE BAR HE WORKED IN. WHEN CAPONE’S FATHER DIED IN 1920 HE TURNED AWAY FROM LEGITIMATE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ALTOGETHER AND ROSE TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DEALERS OF ALCOHOL DURING THE PROHIBITION ERA. HE WAS ULTIMATELY CHARGED WITH INCOME TAX EVASION AND SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN A FEDERAL PRISON AND 1 YEAR IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND HAD TO PAY FINES.

AL CAPONE GREW UP IN NEW YORK AND BEGAN HIS CRIMINAL CAREER RUNNING ERRANDS FOR THE LOCAL GANGSTER, JOHNNY TORRIO. TORRIO SERVED AS A ROLE MODEL SINCE HE WAS A GENTLEMANLY GANGSTER WHO SEPARATED HIS BUSINESS FROM HIS PRIVATE LIFE. CAPONE’S NEXT FORAY INTO CRIME WAS UNDER FRANK “YALE” WHO WAS THE OPPOSITE OF TORRIO, RULING HIS EMPIRE THROUGH VIOLENCE. CAPONE GOT HIS 3 SCARS AFTER OFFENDING A GANGSTER IN THE BAR HE WORKED IN. WHEN CAPONE’S FATHER DIED IN 1920 HE TURNED AWAY FROM LEGITIMATE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ALTOGETHER AND ROSE TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DEALERS OF ALCOHOL DURING THE PROHIBITION ERA. HE WAS ULTIMATELY CHARGED WITH INCOME TAX EVASION AND SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN A FEDERAL PRISON AND 1 YEAR IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND HAD TO PAY FINES.

Deaths due to alcohol, Cook County, Illinois 1910-1926 Source: US Senate Judiciary committee Hearings on national prohibition, 1926 WAS PROHIBITION EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING VIOLENCE AND DEATH DUE TO ALCOHOL BASED ON THIS CHART ALONE? ANSWER: THERE WERE MORE DEATHS DUE TO ALCOHOL AFTER PROHIBITION THAN BEFORE.