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Rev. Lyman Beecher's Sermons
Rev. Lyman Beecher believed that alcohol was being over consumed and that alcohol made people addicted to the drink therefore he delivered and published six sermons on intemperance. This ran through many different editors and was translated into many different languages. -
First state to ban alcohol
The state of Maine passed a law banning the sale of alcohol. This decision was very unpopular resulting into riots and fights which lead to them repealing it in 1856. Source #1. -
Prohibition Party
The Prohibition party was a political party formed to oppose the sale and consumption of an alcoholic beverage. This party is the oldest existing 3rd party of the United States. Source #2 -
Women's Christian Temperance Union
The Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed in Hillsborough Ohio. This was a non violent protest group going against wine being in church. They were concerned the damage that it can cause to families. This group also wanted more women's rights. Source #4 -
The Anti-Saloon League March
The Anti-Saloon League march was a march through Washington, D.C. The league was founded by Reverend Howard Hyde Russell, was brought together to press prohibition. Source #5 -
18th Amendment Is Ratified
On this day, the 18th amendment came into effect. This would ban the sale, transportation and manufacturing of alcohol. Source #6 -
Volstead Act Went Into Effect
The Volstead Act would provide the 18th amendment with more details about it, such as being able to use alcohol for medicinal use. It also covered how producing it, transporting it and selling it is still illegal. This act also set the date to be active on January 16, 1920. Source #7 -
Bootlegging
The ban of alcohol lead to many different paths for people. All kinds of farmers and people would make the alcohol to get a lot of money since they were not making a whole lot. Along with this, it would lead to a lot of gang violence. One of the biggest gang affiliated people is Al Capon. Although this operation was very risky it would lead to thousands and millions of dollars. Source #8 -
Stock Market Crash
Black Tuesday was the start of the stock market crash. This would lead to the stocks dropping 80%. From the stock market crash, banks could not get money from the Federal Reserve System, which forced the banks to close down. This would result in the depression. Source #9 -
The Great Depression
After the stock market crashed, everybody was really poor. People were not able to find jobs because they were very limited. People wanted jobs so bad that they would have big lines and hopefully they would be picked. Since no one had money alcohol was a big question to most people. Source #10 -
18th Amendment Repealed
The 21st amendment was created to make the production, transportation and selling of alcohol legal. This amendment would help with the wealth of people, the government and the crime. Source #11
