 Second Great Awakening
sought to remake society
in God's image.
 This sentiment extended
to civic life with the
formation of thousands
of Temperance societies.
 Successful in reducing
consumption and
encouraging stricter
state regulation of
alcohol.
Lyman Beecher was a famous social
activist of the day who was particularly
concerned about the negative impact of
alcohol on society.
In the 1850 engraving, "The Drunkard's Home," a cowering family in a squalid home is
subjected to the whims of a brutal patriarch.
By contrast, the 1850 engraving, "The Temperance Home," depicts a scene of
domestic harmony, order, affection, and material comfort.
 1. According to Beecher,
what are the ill effects of
alcohol on the
individual, society, and
the family?
 2. Why does Lincoln
praise the Washington
Temperance Society (the
"Washingtonians") as a
more effective
temperance promotion
agency than the old
establishment of
preachers and lawyers?
 The pair of 1855
illustrations, "Tree of
Temperance" and "Tree
of Intemperance," are
rich with symbolic and
literal depictions of the
consequences of each
lifestyle.
 Identify and list the
symbolic aspects in each
of the "Tree" cartoons.
 The WCTU fought for
prohibition and
progressive reform.
 Frances Willard was
the national president
of the union from 1879
to 1898.
 Focused on suffrage,
the 8-hour work day,
prison reform, and the
Social Gospel.
 The Anti-Saloon
Members of the Anti-Saloon League
meet in Chicago.
League focused only on
the legal prohibition of
alcoholic beverages.
 Developed modern
lobbying techniques.
 Printed anti-drinking
brochures, appealed to
church members for
support, and lobbied
both lawmakers and
businessmen.
 Member of the Women's Christian
Temperance Union.
 Known for bursting into barrooms,
wielding a hatchet or hammer, and
smashing the saloon.
 Between 1900 and 1910, Nation was
arrested some thirty times for her
aggressive tactics.
 Do you think Carrie Nation's
tactics were justified? Why or
why not?
 The 18th Amendment
was ratified in 1919 and
took effect in 1920.
 The Volstead Act
clarified the new rules
surrounding prohibition.
 President Wilson vetoed
the Volstead Act on
constitutional grounds.
 His veto was overridden
by Congress.
Special stamps were required for medicinal
liquors under the Volstead Act.
 1. What exceptions to
prohibition did the
Volstead Act include?
2. What do you think
Wilson's rationale for
being opposed to
prohibition but
supportive of
temperance was?
 Reaction to
Prohibition?
 Speakeasies (illegal
bars)
 Bootlegging
(smuggling of
alcohol)
 As you read the “Booze
Sermon” list 3-4 reasons
why Billy Sunday
believes in Prohibition.



Detroit police discover a clandestine still
The sale, transport, and
consumption of
intoxicating beverages
became illegal.
Many law-abiding
Americans defied the
regulations.
The black market for
alcohol was a boon for
organized crime.
 Looking at Statistics and
LaGuardia and Federal Council
of Churches readings answer
these questions…
 1. List some arguments for and
against Prohibition. Which side
of the debate is most legitimate
to you and why?
2. Compare and contrast
Prohibition to today's War on
Drugs. Is the war successful?
Why/whynot?
 Prohibition was




Thus,
in 1933, the noble
experiment of Prohibition came
to a close with the ratification of
the 21st Amendment
unenforceable.
Many deaths occurred
from bootleg liquor.
Political corruption
increased.
Smuggling grew out of
control.
During the Depression
the potential jobs and
tax revenue from the
legalization of liquor
increasingly attractive to
struggling Americans.
 By 1927 he was earning some
$60 million a year from
bootlegging.
 His gang was like a private
army. He had 700 men under
his control.
 He was responsible for over
500 murders.
 On 14th February 1929,
Capone’s men dressed as
police officers murdered 7
members of a rival gang. This
became known as the
‘Valentine’s Day Massacre.’
 The enormous profits to
be made attracted
gangsters who started to
take control of many
cities.
 They bribed the police,
judges and politicians.
 They controlled the
speakeasies and the
distilleries, and
ruthlessly exterminated
their rivals.
The most famous of the gangsters of the 1920s
was Al Capone.
Gangsters ran bootlegging industries and turned a huge profit.
Unfortunately, they became rivals with other gangs, especially in big
cities, leading to more violent crime.