Prohibition was a movement in the United States to make alcohol illegal between the years 1920-1933 It started on January 16, 1920 when the 18th Amendment of the US Constitution was ratified, which stated that the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol were prohibited in the US. The Prohibition was introduced as a means to reduce alcohol consumption in order to improve morale, public health, and reduce crime. Although it was initially championed by many reformers and popularly supported, over the course of its 13 years it failed to achieve its goals and was eventually repealed by the 21st Amendment.
Essay Topic Ideas
1. How Did Prohibition Affect Bootlegging?
Bootlegging was the illegal sale, production, transportation, and consumption of alcohol during Prohibition. It caused a rise in organized crime as gangs found ways to smuggle alcohol and get around the law. This essay could explore how Prohibition affected the emergence of organized crime, the rise of speakeasies and bootlegging, and the impact it had on society.
2. How Did the Repeal of Prohibition Affect the US Economy?
The repeal of Prohibition had a positive effect on the US economy. It brought in new government revenue from taxes on alcohol sales and helped to create jobs in the alcoholic beverage industry. This essay could look at the economic impact of the repeal of Prohibition, and how it sparked new innovations and sectors within the US economy.
3. Who Were the Key Figures in the Prohibition Movement?
This essay could explore the people and organizations that were behind the Prohibition movement. It could look at the advocates for temperance, why the movement gained so much traction, and the people who lobbied for it to become law.
4. How Did Temperate Religions Shape the Prohibition Movement?
Temperance was a major factor in the Prohibition movement, with many advocating for teetotalism and abstinence from alcohol. This essay could look at how temperate religions such as the Methodists and Presbyterians impacted the movement, and how their beliefs on temperance fueled the Prohibition movement.
5. How Was Prohibition Enforced?
The enforcement of Prohibition was a difficult task, as there was no way to completely enforce the law. This essay could explore the attempts by law enforcement to enforce the law, the public's attitude towards Prohibition, and how effective enforcement was.