Kami Robertson

Cristina DiMarzio

P5th

The Volstead Act/ Prohibition in the 1920’s

The Temperance Movement /Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

Blamed alcohol for society’ s ills, crime, and murder

Women disliked intoxicated men / husbands

Men would get paid and go spend all their money at bars

Encouragement to pass a law banning alcohol

Supposed to decrease crime and corruption Lower taxes needed to support prisons and

poor housesImprove health and hygiene in America

Purpose of Volstead Act

Volstead Act passed on October 28, 19191919-193318th AmendmentJanuary 16, 1920 It was illegal to sell, manufacture, and transport

alcohol for consumption.

Groups were immediately started to repeal the amendment.

Anti-prohibition movement began.

Created social problems

Alcohol only allowed to be prescribed by doctors

Gangsters arose during this period of time because of such high demand for alcohol

It led to organized crime. Gangsters would hire people to smuggle in alcohol into the U.S.

Hired men to smuggle were called “Rum Runners”

Government hired secret agents to arrest gangsters and look for storages of alcohol.

Importing/ Exporting Alcohol

Repealed in December 5th of 1933It was the first law to be repealedUtah was the final state needed for a three

quarters majority, ratified the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition

Repealed

Gatsby became a bootlegger, making money by illegally transporting alcohol

From working in this business, Jay Gatsby became very rich

He had enough money to buy a house across

the bay from Daisy while she was married to Tom Buchanan

Gatsby & Prohibition

"'Oh, I've been in several things...I was in the drug business...'"

“Prohibition in the United States”. 1920-30.com <http://www.1920-30.com/prohibition/>.

"Prohibition in the United States". Wikipedia. February 16, 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States>.

Morgenthaler , Jeffrey .”Repeal Day is December Fifth”

Rosenberg , Jennifer. "Prohibition". About.com. February 16, 2010 <http://history1900s.about.com/od/1920s/p/prohibition.htm>.

Works Cited