Prohibition

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The 1920s was a time that was all about gangsters, speakeasies, and the glamor! A main thing that happened during this time was Prohibition. Prohibition was when an amendment was passed where the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol was made illegal, but not the consumption. (“All You Need to Know about the Prohibition”) In the beginning of Prohibiton, it had a seventy-five percent approval rate from the states. (“Speakeasies of the Prohibition Era”) Prohibition advocates wanted to protect the children, either them being around alcohol or the consumption. (Worth, Richard) Richmond P. Hobson, Congressman of Alabama, helped to introduce the bill to make alcohol illegal. Hobson was firm in what he stood for, being for Prohibition. One of Hobson’s quotes was “a man is a little less of a man after each drink he takes”. (Worth, Richard) In 1918, the city of Detroit, before Prohibition was in place, had 2,334 saloons whereas in 1925, during the time of Prohibition, an outrageous 15,000 then known as “speakeasies”. (“The Rise of Speakeasies”) Speakeasies were a place that both men and women could go to be able to buy and drink alcohol and a place to hang out. Musicians could go to these places and play their music and get noticed. The name came about because you were supposed to “speak easy” and not draw attention to the location. When you got to the door there was a peephole and the “bouncer/security guard’ would look through. If the guard recognized you or if you had a members card then you would be allowed to go in. (Worth, Richard) Alarms were installed in the speakeasies so that if the police were coming it would warn the people that were in the speakeasy. Most even had drop-shelves and secret cabinets to put the alcohol ... ... middle of paper ... ...r and could be made at home. (NIshi, Dennis) When Prohibition was repealed it was the first and the last time an amendment was repealed. (“All You Need to Know about the Prohibition”) Works Cited "All You Need to Know about the Prohibition." About.com 20th Century History. Web. 03 May 2014. . Nishi, Dennis. Prohibition. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 2003. Print. "The Rise of Speakeasies." The Rise of Speakeasies. Web. 06 May 2014. . "Speakeasies of the Prohibition Era - Page 2." Speakeasies of the Prohibition Era - Page 2. Web. 09 May 2014. . Worth, Richard. Teetotalers and Saloon Smashers: The Temperance Movement and Prohibition. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2009. Print.

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