The Negative Impact of American Prohibition

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On January 16th 1920, the 18th amendment officially was put into play. “The 18th amendment made the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages restricted or illegal, this was also called the Prohibition era.” (Scott, Robert.) Many people called this time “The Roaring Twenties” and the “Jazz Age”, new music appeared, along with new dances and a new and exciting era for women. Also, a general relaxation of standards after the stressful years of WWII. ("Prohibition.") Prohibition in the 20’s was also called the “Noble Experiment” by many, because it was America’s first try at the prohibition of alcohol on a national level that many people didn’t agree with. Prohibition has changed America by changing the way people live, and setting the foundation for organized crime in America. “The last day before the taps ran dry, the streets of San Francisco were jammed. A frenzy of cars, trucks, wagons, and every imaginable form of transportation.”(Okrent, Daniel.) Staircases, porches and walkways were piled high with boxes and crates to be delivered ahead of the soon to be era of Prohibition. Across the country, sidewalks were filled with wicker baskets stocked with the stores’ remaining liquor inventory and a sign that said “every bottle a dollar”. (Okrent, Daniel.)Vendors were desperate to get rid of their liquor to scrambling citizens, to make a last buck off their last few bottles. Part of the reason the taps were going to run dry was due to Temperance groups around the country. These groups believed that alcohol was poison that corrupted men and caused them to abuse their families and wives and neglect their duties. Because the Temperance groups preached this, they insisted that it was not to be mention... ... middle of paper ... ...e end, Prohibition permanently affected America by changing the way we live today and, by increasing many different types of crime for years to come. Works Cited Hanson, Prof. David J. "Prohibition: The Noble Experiment." Prohibition: The Noble Experiment. State University of New York, 1997. Web. 06 Feb. 2014. Lerner, Michael. "Prohibition." PBS. PBS, 2011. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. Okrent, Daniel. "Wayne B. Wheeler: The Man Who Turned Off the Taps." Smithsonian. Smithsonian Magazine, May-June 2010. Web. 06 Feb. 2014. Okrent, Daniel. "Prohibition Life: Politics, Loopholes And Bathtub Gin." NPR. NPR, May-June 2010. Web. 05 Feb. 2014. "Prohibition." Compton's by Britannica, v 6.0. 2009. eLibrary. Web. 06 Feb. 2014. Scott, Robert. "1920s Prohibition." 1920's Prohibition. 1920-30.com, 2005. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.

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