Prohibition

Prohibition

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.

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.

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.

The Women’s 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.

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.

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.

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.

"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

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

Multimedia Citations Slide 2: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/images/155.jpg Slide 3: "The Drunkard's Home" cartoon:

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/sentimnt/snesjccat.html"The Temperance Home" cartoon: http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/sentimnt/snesejeat.html

Slide 4: "Tree of Intemperance" cartoon": http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/h?pp/PPALL:@field(NUMBER+@1(cph+3a16876))

"Tree of Temperance" cartoon: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/h?pp/PPALL:@field(NUMBER+@1(cph+3b02442))

Slide 5: http://www.nyfolklore.org/images4/catsk-3.jpg Slide 6:

http://homicide.northwestern.edu/timeline/1909/large/22.jpg

Slide 7: http://www.kshs.org/cool/graphics/carrypostrlg.jpg Slide 8:

http://www.bottlebooks.com/american%20medicinal%20spirits%20company/prescription.JPG

Slide 9: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4062605

Slide 10: http://www.beerbooks.com/images/products/4000/large/4128.jpg