Prohibition - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

About This Presentation
Title:

Prohibition

Description:

Title: The Culture of Modernism in the 1920 s and Reactions to Modernism Author: Alyson Westby Last modified by: KDF Created Date: 7/8/2006 7:56:35 PM – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:208
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 13
Provided by: Alys105
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Prohibition


1
Prohibition
2
19th Century Background for Prohibition
  • Second Great Awakening sought to remake society
    in God's image.
  • This sentiment extended to civic life with the
    formation of thousands of Temperance societies.
  • Successful in reducing consumption and
    encouraging stricter state regulation of alcohol.

Lyman Beecher was a famous social activist of the
day who was particularly concerned about the
negative impact of alcohol on society.
3
Temperance Cartoons
In the 1850 engraving, "The Drunkard's Home," a
cowering family in a squalid home is subjected to
the whims of a brutal patriarch.By contrast, the
1850 engraving, "The Temperance Home," depicts a
scene of domestic harmony, order, affection, and
material comfort.
4
Temperance Cartoons
The pair of 1855 illustrations, "Tree of
Temperance" and "Tree of Intemperance," are rich
with symbolic and literal depictions of the
consequences of each lifestyle.
5
The Womens Christian Temperance Union
  • The WCTU fought for prohibition and progressive
    reform.
  • Frances Willard was the national president of the
    union from 1879 to 1898.
  • Focused on suffrage, the 8-hour work day, prison
    reform, and the Social Gospel.

6
The Anti-Saloon League
  • The Anti-Saloon League focused only on the legal
    prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
  • Developed modern lobbying techniques.
  • Printed anti-drinking brochures, appealed to
    church members for support, and lobbied both
    lawmakers and businessmen.

Members of the Anti-Saloon League meet in Chicago.
7
Carrie Nation The Saloon Smasher
  • Member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.
  • Known for bursting into barrooms, wielding a
    hatchet or hammer, and smashing the saloon.
  • Between 1900 and 1910, Nation was arrested some
    thirty times for her aggressive tactics.

8
The Volstead Act
  • The 18th Amendment was ratified in 1919 and took
    effect in 1920.
  • The Volstead Act clarified the new rules
    surrounding prohibition.
  • President Wilson vetoed the Volstead Act on
    constitutional grounds.
  • His veto was overridden by Congress.

Special stamps were required for medicinal
liquors under the Volstead Act.
9
"A Noble Experiment"
  • The sale, transport, and consumption of
    intoxicating beverages became illegal.
  • Many law-abiding Americans defied the
    regulations.
  • The black market for alcohol was a boon for
    organized crime.

Detroit police discover a clandestine still
10
Per capita consumption of alcohol (1910-1929)
11
(No Transcript)
12
The 21st Amendment
  • Prohibition was unenforceable.
  • Many deaths occurred from bootleg liquor.
  • Political corruption increased.
  • Smuggling grew out of control.
  • During the Depression the potential jobs and tax
    revenue from the legalization of liquor
    increasingly attractive to struggling Americans.
  • Thus, in 1933, the noble experiment of
    Prohibition came to a close with the ratification
    of the 21st Amendment
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com