Why Is Prohibition Important In The Great Gatsby

Prohibition was one of the major changes in the 20s, as well as, the contributing factor to other changes in life during that time. It was a time in life where organized crime became rampant throughout the bigger cities. Bootleggers and speakeasies were a common topic for households during this era. Everyone needed their alcohol, and they would do crazy stuff to obtain it; it even showed itself in the Great Gatsby. Over time things began to change as the Great Depression came sweeping in, so the government repealed the amendment and used the alcohol for taxes. Ever since the 1800s, groups of people have fought for the ban on alcohol. The advocates of the temperance movement would not always emphasize the ban on the consumption of alcohol. But

No single mob could source and deliver a great deal of alcohol by themselves, so they started to work together and make deals for a better profit. “They had to start thinking about strategic partnerships with other gangs.” (History.com). This led to pacts between groups which then led to syndicated crime. Once the prohibition act was removed, the mobsters stayed. They moved from alcohol to drugs and other forms of trafficking. As stated before, prohibition wasn’t received well everywhere. People wanted their alcohol, which led to great profit in smuggling illegal alcohol. “The same day the law took effect, people began stealing kegs, bottles, and other containers of alcohol from trucks, trains, and warehouses” (Gale in Context). People have always found ways to combat the rules with the introduction of bootlegging, speakeasies, and bathtub gin. “Many became very wealthy and gained great power by smuggling alcohol from other areas, operating speakeasies, or controlling bootlegging operations.” (Gale in Context). The decline in support for the prohibition grew grander over time. Struggling restaurants had to close because they couldn’t make liquor

People were sick of Herbert Hoover's “noble experiment” that was prohibition. With the promise to repeal the prohibition act, Franklin D. Roosevelt easily won the election. In February 1933, Congress made the 21st amendment that would repeal the 18th. History.com. The. Even after the repeal, certain states didn’t end the ban on alcohol until 1966. Within the story of the Great Gatsby, prohibition plays its role through Jay Gatsby. It is inferred that he had no ties to his wealth, so others assumed that it came from new money or bootlegging. Tom voices his suspicion that Gatsby and his partner were selling illegal alcohol through the many drug stores that they own. This was the fact that Gatsby and his partner (Meyer Wolfsheim) did work for organized crime and bootlegging productions. It was the only way for Gatsby to get alcohol at his parties. In summary, prohibition was a time pushed by the progressive movements of the 1920s. Thugs and crime bosses looking to make money during this time of progression had to look for lawyers to clean up their act. The enforcement of this amendment was difficult because people would always find ways to make, sell, or traffic illegal