Progibition, The Volatead Act, 1919-1933

Question 1

What were the causes of prohibition?

Answer 1

• women and religious groups believed drinking was to blame for violence
• many beer companies were Herman so during WW1 people told was betraying country
• workers would be healthier and more reliable

Question 2

How did people avoid prohibition?

Answer 2

• moonshine
• bootlegging
• 200,000 speakeasies across the us

Question 3

Issues with enforcing prohibition?

Answer 3

Prohibition agents were heavily unpaid and outnumbered meaning took bribes

Question 4

Effects of this organise crime?

Answer 4

• selling alcohol became a big business as many prepared to break law
• gangs controlled most of trade, Al Capone in Chicago who bribed police and employed 1,000 into his private army
• 227 murders across 4 years (valentines massacre 1929)

Question 5

Why was prohibition repealed and when?

Answer 5

• 1933
• drinking continued
• enforcement was impossible
• brought law into disrepute
• concern about violence and gangsters
• 1929 depression meant was too expensive to enforce
• could create jobs and tax revenue if introduced