3) BOOM: Divided Society Flashcards
When and what was Prohibition?
The ban on the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcohol from 1920 to 1933.
Why was Prohibition introduced?
People thought it encouraged violence, poverty, addiction and debt and caused moral issues. There was also patriotism as most beer was German made. There was a strong campaign against alcohol lead by the Anti-Saloon League.
Why did Prohibition fail?
People were willing to break the law, it encouraged organised crime like racketeering, bootlegging and running illegal speakeasies, many Prohibition agents and police were corrupt and took bribes from gangsters and criminals, moonshine was produced which was dangerous as the production was not controlled or monitored.
How much did Al Capone make a week through organised crime?
$2 million a week.
How many speakeasies were there in the USA?
Around 200000 by 1933. In New York there were more speakeasies than there were bars before Prohibition.
How many people emigrated to America between 1850 and 1914?
Around 40 million.
What and when was the Literacy Act?
Introduced in 1917 it banned entry to any immigrant who was illiterate.
What and when was the Immigration Quota Law?
Introduced in 1921 it allowed only 350000 immigrants to enter each year.
What and when was the National Origins Act?
Introduced in 1924 it allowed only 150000 immigrants to enter each year.
What was the impact of immigration in America?
Prejudice and suspicion of immigrants as people feared they wanted to steal jobs or spread communist beliefs. They set up ethnic communities like Little Italy in New York and had different cultures and beliefs to WASPS. Most only had low paid low skilled jobs.
What were Jim Crow laws?
Laws to keep African Americans segregated and with less rights than white people.
What was the Black Renaissance?
African American communities flourishing in the North. For example Harlem in New York became a centre for black culture, pride and creativity where talented artists, musicians, poets, writers etc gathered there. Some even entered politics and NAACP was set up.
What was the KKK and how many members did they have in 1925?
A racist terror group that wanted white supremacy. It had 5 million members in 1925. It was founded in 1860s and declined towards the end of the 19th century but the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation sparked a revival.
What methods did the KKK use?
Whipping, branding with acid, kidnapping, castration and lynching.
Why did the KKK decline?
In 1925 a popular local Klan leader was convicted of the brutal kidnapping, rape and murder of a young woman. At his trial he exposed many of the secrets of the KKK. Within a year membership had fallen to 300000.
