As discussed in this prohibition video. This put another divide in the nation between “wets” and “drys.” Making alcohol illegally only gave bootleggers and “gangsters” during this time period something else to get their hands on. With a very high demand it became a very violent period. This cost the US tons by supporting law enforcements efforts against alcohol. Teddy Roosevelt used this to his advantage by campaigning against prohibition. This period lasted until 1933 when the 18th amendment was finally repealed.
While Prohibition was successful in reducing the amount of liquor consumed, it tended to destroy society by other means, as it stimulated the proliferation of rampant underground, organized and widespread criminal activity. Prohibition became increasingly unpopular during the Great Depression, especially in large cities. This video best captures the development and the ending of prohibition. Prohibition had a notable effect on the alcohol brewing industry in the United States and it made alcohol even popular than before the Prohibition period. The post-Prohibition period saw the introduction of the American lager style of beer, which dominates today. Prohibition was a big issue in the United States, so many books and newspapers could be used to cross-check the accuracy of this video.
Prohibition is a good example that the US constitution is not a good tool for changing public policy, public opinion tends to change every now and then and amending the constitution is a really big challenge (repealing the 18th amendment required a state convention as federal government at the time believed that the state legislatures were too corrupt).
The video did a good job showing the change. As we entered the “roaring twenties” americans started to party, hence despite alcohol being banned in US the consumption skyrocketed. There is plenty of sources: For example police records could be used to show the increase in crime at the time (to get alcohol to the people), and hospital records could be used to show any alcohol related injuries and/or deaths. Newspapers can also be used.
a) How effective is the video in capturing the essence of the historical change depicted? b) What other sources could be used to cross-check the accuracy of the video in representing this change?
This video was excellent because in a time span of 3 minutes, it managed to capture the very essence of prohibition. The time period before prohibition was first enacted was explained very well. It gave powerful statistics such as “more people drank during prohibition than before” and these can be checked online or better yet- in the library of congress. Another good source is the school’s databases.