Prohibition and the 'speakeasies'
On 26 January 1920, the 18th Amendment to the American Constitution made the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages restricted or illegal. This new law was mainly due to the women (in particular the Women’s Christian Temperance Union) who believed this would stop the effects of alcohol fuelled abuse on women and children. This new law was supposed to lower crime and corruption and fix social problems. Instead people began to consume alcohol in secret in violation of the law. Alcohol was consumed in clubs known as ‘speakeasy’s’. Jazz music was very popular in the speakeasys and dancing also. The speakeasy was the favourite hang-out of the ‘New Woman’ and lots of these bold women went out to the Speakeasy to drink, smoke dance and flirt. The ‘speakeasy’ caused a lot of organised crime with ‘bootlegging’ (the illegal selling of liquor). People were thought to have smuggled alcohol over the border from Canada. This ‘bootlegging’ was performed by gangs and there was often violent turf wars and gang murders.
The ‘cocktail’ began to evolve in the 1920s. Previously to prohibition men only really drank beer, wine or straight liquor. In the speakeasys people began mixing liquor with fruit juice or fizzy drinks and ‘the cocktail’ became quite popular.
Basically the prohibition backfired; instead of abuse and crime being lowered, it significantly increased. Instead of people drinking less they drank illegally instead. Instead of stopping over-crowding in American prisons, prisons were overflowing. Because the manufacturing of alcohol was now prohibited, people began to make alcohol from home. The ingredients and methods weren’t always safe and as a result lots of people received alcohol poisoning. Prohibition fuelled the creation of the ‘speakeasy’ and as a result prior morals were relaxed. Women drank more, classes mixed and jazz music became all the rage. Prohibition was finally ended in 1933.
The ‘cocktail’ began to evolve in the 1920s. Previously to prohibition men only really drank beer, wine or straight liquor. In the speakeasys people began mixing liquor with fruit juice or fizzy drinks and ‘the cocktail’ became quite popular.
Basically the prohibition backfired; instead of abuse and crime being lowered, it significantly increased. Instead of people drinking less they drank illegally instead. Instead of stopping over-crowding in American prisons, prisons were overflowing. Because the manufacturing of alcohol was now prohibited, people began to make alcohol from home. The ingredients and methods weren’t always safe and as a result lots of people received alcohol poisoning. Prohibition fuelled the creation of the ‘speakeasy’ and as a result prior morals were relaxed. Women drank more, classes mixed and jazz music became all the rage. Prohibition was finally ended in 1933.