1920s and Prohibition

  • Period: to

    The National Prohibition Party is founded. In addition to temperance, the group promotes a variety of social reforms popular with progressives of the 19th century 1869

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    Prohibition agent Elliot Ness begins in earnest to tackle violators of Prohibition, including Al Capone's gang in Chicago 1929

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    The first temperance movements begin advocating abstinence from 1830 alcohol.

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    Members of Maine's Total Abstinence Society convince the state government to pass the Fifteen Gallon Law, the first prohibition law 1847

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    Maine passes the "Maine law," banning the production and sale of alcohol. The law includes an exception for medicinal uses 1851

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    12 other states have joined Maine in banning the production and sale of alcoholic beverages 1855

  • Period: to

    Herbert Hoover gives an acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination in which he discusses the ills of Prohibition and the need for its end 1932

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    Newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Cullen-Harrison Act, which legalizes the manufacture and sale of certain alcoholic products. Support for Prohibition continues to wane, and many call for its removal 1933

  • Period: to

    The U.S. Congress proposes an amendment to the Constitution that would end Prohibition 1933

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    With the passage of Prohibition, a large black market develops around the country 1920