Speakeasies And Prohibition In The 1920's

Speakeasies and prohibition were the single biggest influence on the society of the 1920’s, coupled with of the ineffectiveness of prohibition, massive amounts of vice was prevalent. The idea of prohibition was a good one and was founded on a solid base. Even way back in colonial times, the fight to have a ban on alcohol was one of some merit. There was even times when individual states took it upon themselves to ban alcohol. However, none of them match up to the effect that an amendment to the Constitution would have. It laid down the law of the land. Prohibition was put into law previous to the 1920’s but only in this decade would you be able to see the effect that a total ban on alcohol would have on everyone including the society as a whole.

The American Temperance Society helped to ignite the first temperance movement and served as a starting block for many later groups. The Dry Crusade, what the temperance movement is also called, continued well through the 1800’s and into the 1900’s where it started to get serious backing. The society of the 1800’s really worked against alcohol, and was a big reason that lead to the necessity of prohibition. Back then, it was common place for the male of a household to get drunk and beat his wife. This was just commonplace for a long time and no one really spoke up against it. That was until women started to get behind the idea of prohibition and they are the main reason that it had any success at all. Another reason for the takeoff of prohibition is saloons and bars. They were depicted in a light that showed them as a terrible place for people that are suspect. Prohibition was an important force in state and local politics Religious groups, people who were devoutly against alcohol consumption, identified saloons as politically corrupt and drinking as a personal

This marked a new beginning in the newfound society in America. Prohibition began in 1920, when the Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution that was passed three years prior, finally went into effect. The early signs of the hopes for prohibition were not looking good as only 1520 police officers were in charge of enforcing the new amendment. While the amendment would have a hard time being enforced, it looked very likely that it would not be repealed any time soon. The ban on alcohol was widely controversial, as even doctors were split on the decision. Medical professionals were torn because alcohol was widely prescribed for therapeutic purposes. With the now ban on alcohol, doctors would have to find a new prescription to deal with some people's problems. Because of this, doctors across the country lobbied for the amendment of Prohibition as it applied to medicinal