ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Would you consider the government's passage of the 18th amendment an over-reaction to the problem of alcohol? How do the actions of gangster/bootleggers support the position that the government and temperance leaders had gone too far?
The government did go too far. People make the choice to consume that much alcohol and maybe with all the help and knowledge we have now the problem would have been solved, more mature people have the tendency not to drink as much alcohol in a short amount of time as immature people would. Also the fact that this amendment was not really forced was a huge problem. People could have big parties and they would not get caught, the government would look the other way. Gangsters and bootleggers got people the alcohol they wanted without anyone knowing for a price. They ran the city and to be honest i believe that the government officials were very afraid of them.
The government did go too far. People make the choice to consume that much alcohol and maybe with all the help and knowledge we have now the problem would have been solved, more mature people have the tendency not to drink as much alcohol in a short amount of time as immature people would. Also the fact that this amendment was not really forced was a huge problem. People could have big parties and they would not get caught, the government would look the other way. Gangsters and bootleggers got people the alcohol they wanted without anyone knowing for a price. They ran the city and to be honest i believe that the government officials were very afraid of them.
The 18th amendment- The 18th amendment was not very effective in that so many people hated it that they just did not respect it. Government officials never got strict on it and they just let it slip by. People that wanted to and were friends with the right people got away with throwing big parties and breaking the law.
Government and violations- The alcohol industry was taken over by gangsters and than they became admired locally and nationally so they became so rich they bribed government officials and they looked the other way. The government was corrupt and did not follow or enforce this law which caused a lot of problems. People were so amazed by the bars and the idea of drinking and freedom that they did not care about the law because if they knew the right people they could get away with it.
Gangsters- The 1920's was so known for gangsters and crime because it was everywhere. With the 18th amendment of the Volstead act not many people followed it. They were all about freedom and how this amendment took it away. Women were upset because they just got to wear shorter clothing, and can smoke and drink without it being a big deal. The gangsters ran the streets and towns because they got so rich from taking over the alcohol industry that people feared them. They got violent when things did not go their way and they sold alcohol to get most of their money and that was illegal.
Vocabulary-
Bootlegger- alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, sold, or transported, without registration or payment of taxes.
Speakeasy- a saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during Prohibition.
Bootlegger- alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, sold, or transported, without registration or payment of taxes.
Speakeasy- a saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during Prohibition.
APPARTS-
AUTHOR- The author is unknown PLACE AND TIME- This was made during the 1920's due to the prohibition act. The time and place change the meaning because it does not effect us today. It was abolished by the 21st amendment. PRIOR KNOWLEDGE- The knowledge that helped was knowing that America banded alcohol during the 1920's cause they think it is causing men to abuse woman and causing crime. AUDIENCE- The audience is to people who dont believe that alcohol is bad. it may not be bad but you do not need it. REASON- People were trying to ban alcohol and this was one way they could do it. MAIN IDEA- The key point is that America does not need alcohol to survive and that it makes the man weak. SIGNIFICANCE- To get people to be against alcohol. |
THINKING LIKE A HISTORIAN- CHANGE AND CONTINUITY: People still think alcohol is not the best choice for people, but Alcohol is not banned from all of America. The drinking age has changed a lot to make it illegal for people under the age of 21 in wisconsin to consume alcohol. Citizens who drink alcohol have benefited for this but people who do not have not benefited. Also people who drive cars have also benefited from this because it is illegal to get behind the wheel after drinking a certain amount of alcohol to protect people.