Prohibition

Prohibition (18 th Amendment) A law called the Volstead Act introduced in the USA in January 1920.A law called the Volstead Act introduced in the USA in January It banned the manufacture, sale and transport of alcohol.It banned the manufacture, sale and transport of alcohol. The federal government had the power to enforce this law, creation of FBIThe federal government had the power to enforce this law, creation of FBI

It already existed in many statesMoral reasons Campaigners like the Anti-Saloon League of America The First World War Reasons the U.S. chose Prohibition:

What was the message behind this cartoon? What was the message behind this cartoon?

Fill in as many vocabulary words as you can on the worksheet

Some Like It HOT What is the speakeasy disguised as? What is the alcohol disguised as? Describe the scene in the speakeasy.

Clip from “Some Like It Hot”

SpeakeasieS * Secret * Secret Secret saloon bars opened up in cellars and back rooms.Secret saloon bars opened up in cellars and back rooms. Drinkers had to give a password or knock at the door in code to be let in.Drinkers had to give a password or knock at the door in code to be let in. Women were allowed in barsWomen were allowed in bars Speakeasies sold ‘bootleg’ alcoholSpeakeasies sold ‘bootleg’ alcohol Before Prohibition there were 15,000 bars in New York. By 1926 there were 30,000 speakeasies! Before Prohibition there were 15,000 bars in New York. By 1926 there were 30,000 speakeasies!

Rise in Consumption Looking at the chart, what happens to alcohol consumption in the 1920s? Why do you think this happens? What happens to the amount of money spent on distilled alcohol after prohibition? Why? What happens to the homicide rate after prohibition? Why? What changes do you notice, in general, after the 18 th amendment is repealed?

Organized Crime Gangster made enormous profits and took over citiesGangster made enormous profits and took over cities They bribed the police, judges and politicians.They bribed the police, judges and politicians. They controlled the speakeasies and the distilleries, and ruthlessly exterminated their rivals.They controlled the speakeasies and the distilleries, and ruthlessly exterminated their rivals.

Al Capone He was responsible for over 500 murders.He was responsible for over 500 murders. By 1927 he was earning some $60 million a year from bootlegging.By 1927 he was earning some $60 million a year from bootlegging. His gang was like a private army. He had 700 men under his control.His gang was like a private army. He had 700 men under his control. On 14 th February 1929, Capone’s men dressed as police officers murdered 7 members of a rival gang. This became known as the ‘Valentine’s Day Massacre.’On 14 th February 1929, Capone’s men dressed as police officers murdered 7 members of a rival gang. This became known as the ‘Valentine’s Day Massacre.’

Effects of Prohibition SpeakeasiesSpeakeasies Rise in ConsumptionRise in Consumption MoonshineMoonshine BootleggingBootlegging Organized CrimeOrganized Crime Women in bars socially acceptbleWomen in bars socially acceptble