Volstead Act - 900 Words

How important was the impact of the Volstead Act in influencing American society in the 1920s? The ‘Roaring Twenties’ was the age of the New Woman, with political liberation to the right to vote, economic liberation to jobs and household appliances, and social liberation to fashion and new norms of behaviour symbolised by ’flappers’. The Volstead Act was introduced in 1919, which prohibited alcohol. Criminal gangs were already powerful but with the Prohibition they gained even more. Therefore the Volstead Act was the key factor in making organised crime organised. The Volstead Act impacted American society in many ways. Prohibition caused the growth of crime, massacres and gang related violence and corruption. The Volstead Act was†¦show more content†¦Society had been modernised and more and more American’s were living in urban areas. Factories were fast being taken over by mass production which made once luxury products cheap and available to everyone. The most significant example of this is the Model T - the first cheap, mass produced car. Model T represents a turning point in American industry, mobility was taken to the masses which had never been done before. Industry was transforming the lives of Americans. Radio spread rapidly, bringing news, sport, light entertainment and advertising into every home. It was realised that radio could be a useful political tool too. The 1920s was also the golden age of silent cinema, with the emergence of Hollywood as the ‘dream factory’ and a new obsession with films stars as celebrities. It was also the decade of the New Woman. As well as the right to vote, women (mostly those living in urban areas) gained new social freedoms. Fashion, advertising and the growth of the retail industry had a big image on the roles of woman. New household appliances began to change the face of domestic life, the increasing availability of electrical appliances such as washing machines, electric irons, electric water heaters and dishwashers promised to liberate millions of women from lives of drudgery. Many advertisements depicted women as going out and enjoying themselves while their appliances did their work for them. Overall, although the VolsteadShow MoreRelatedThe Volstead Act1770 Words   |  8 PagesProhibition, the Volstead Act was passed. The Volstead Act was proposed by Andrew J. Volstead in 1919, passed with minor difficulties, and was to carry out the intent of the 18th amendment or Prohibition, which was greatly supported by temperance movement leaders (Harlow; Kizilos;) With the act, the sale of alcohol for medicinal, sacramental and industrial were permitted. Any beverage that contained â€Å"more than one-half of one percent of alcohol† was outlawed, under the act. The act was also set toRead MoreThe Volstead Act of 1920775 Words   |  3 PagesThe Volstead Act of 1920 The year of 1826, the American Temperance Society was adopted. They tried to convince people to stop drinking alcohol. It didn’t take much long after this, that the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union said that they would support the ban on drugs as well as alcohol. Then in 1893, the anti-Saloon League was formed. Not too much longer, they were a political power at making this ban on alcohol reality. Women were a major driving force on the prohibition of alcohol. ManyRead MoreThe Impacts of the National Prohibition Act of 1919753 Words   |  3 Pages The National Prohibition Act of 1919 was the law that actually prohibited the purchase and consumption of alcohol. While the eighteenth amendment banned the transportation, sale, and manufacture of alcohol within the boundaries of the United States, the National Prohibition Act of 1919, also known as Volstead Act, actually started prohibition. The cause of prohibition was caused by the Temperance movement which tr ied to encourage people to not abuse alcohol. Many of the Temperance movement supportersRead MoreProhibition Is Not Just An Act981 Words   |  4 PagesHailie Dudley Mrs. Ernst English 11A 12-8-15 Prohibition Prohibition was not just an act, it was an era that changed American citizens’ daily lives; although the banning of alcohol sounded like a great idea at the time, the â€Å"noble experiment† as many called it, failed tremendously. Prohibition most certainly started with the noblest of intentions, but in its final days, it left the states with higher crime rates and deadly mobs making a fortune off of the illegal substances. Alcohol was consumingRead MoreEffects Of Prohibition In The 1920-19331861 Words   |  8 Pagesstates and the federal government had the power to pass laws to enforce this amendment. This amendment had to be approved within seven years. Prohibition was difficult to enforce, despite the passage of companion legislation known as the Volstead Act. Volstead Act is an increase of the illegal production and sale of liquor (known as â€Å"bootlegging†). Illegal drinking spots and the rise in gang violence and other crimes led to a decrease in support for prohibition by the end of the 1920s. Many effortsRead MoreRoaring Twenties in American Society After World War I. Essay645 Words   |  3 Pagesdeclared a â€Å"national ban on the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcohol† in 1920 (Prohibition). In 1919, people began preparing for the ban by buying large amounts of alcohol before the ban started. Although there was a ban on alcohol, the Volstead Act granted access t o making wine as long as it was obtained from fruit, and legal use of alcohol if there was a prescription (Prohibition, Rosenberg). People would gather at speakeasies or illegal bars where gangsters would supply alcohol from theRead MoreWorld War I Showed New Technology And Exposed Men And Women1866 Words   |  8 Pagesprohibition. It was an ambitious victory for those in favor of it but was not enforced well enough. Many people still drank in the comfort of their own homes if they already had alcohol before the law was passed. This was done by many people because The Volstead Act of 1919 had many loopholes, even stating that individuals were able to keep and drink alcohol before January of 1919. I believe the government was trying to appease the public and passed the law as quickly as possible. They did not think throughRead MoreProhibition During The Era Of 1920-1933 Essay814 Words   |  4 PagesProhibition Essay: By: Savannah Crawford During the era of 1920-1933 could best be characterized as the path to a sober nation. This time of history consisted of the eighteenth amendment which was passed on October 28th 1919; Volstead Act. The Volstead act was created to carry out the movement of prohibition. In addition, Prohibition is the legal prohibiting of the manufacture and sale of alcoholic drinks for common consumption according to dictionary.com. Furthermore, this amendment concurs thatRead MoreEssay about Drinking Age Controversy1076 Words   |  5 PagesProhibition Act, also known as the Volstead Act. The 18th Amendment was to become effective on January 17, 1920, and in those three months before the amendment became effective, alcohol was stolen in mass quantities from government warehouses. Throughout the thirteen years that Prohibition was enforced, the demand for alcohol only grew. The 18th Amendment was repealed on December 5, 1933 following the 21st Amendment, which was effective immediately. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act followedRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legal Drinking Age?1175 Words   |  5 Pageswhich ultimately became a push for total prohibition. In 1920 the United States government passed a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale, import, and export of intoxicating liquors. Prohibition was difficult to enforce, despite the passing of the Volstead Act (legislation passed to enforce prohibition). Crimes such as the increase of the illegal production and sale of liquor, the rapid growth of speakeasies or illegal drinking spots, along with the rise in gang violence led to mass support for the Prohibition