HST 202 Module #05
Flappers and Fortunes Lost (1920 CE - 1928 CE)
The period between 1920 and 1928 in American history is a wild and chaotic ride, baby. It was a time when America was coming out of the Great War and ready to party like there was no tomorrow. It's a time of flappers, jazz, the bootleg gin, fast cars, an economic boom, and a cultural revolution. But beneath the surface was a dark underbelly of racism and prejudice, a seething cauldron of hate and bigotry. The Ku Klux Klan was on the rise, and they were a bunch of white-sheeted, hooded jerks terrorizing minorities and spreading their poison across the land. But some were fighting against the tide of hatred, the progressives, who were trying to bring about real change and make a difference in the lives of the poor and the oppressed.
And then there were the technological advancements, man. The radio, automobiles, and mass media changed how Americans communicated, traveled, and formed opinions. It was a time of significant change, all happening at breakneck speed. But what does it all mean? What's the significance of this time in American history? Well, it's simple, my friend. It's a cautionary tale, a warning of what can happen when we let hate and prejudice take hold. It's a reminder of the importance of progress and social justice and the need always to be vigilant and fight against the forces of darkness. And it's a reminder that the wild ride of history is never over and that we must always be ready for what comes next. In conclusion, the period between 1920 and 1928 in American history is crucial to study. The cultural, political, and technological changes during this time had a lasting impact on American society and continue to shape our understanding of the world today. Understanding this period can help us understand the current issues we face and how they relate to the past.
The period between 1920 and 1928 in American history is a wild and chaotic ride, baby. It was a time when America was coming out of the Great War and ready to party like there was no tomorrow. It's a time of flappers, jazz, the bootleg gin, fast cars, an economic boom, and a cultural revolution. But beneath the surface was a dark underbelly of racism and prejudice, a seething cauldron of hate and bigotry. The Ku Klux Klan was on the rise, and they were a bunch of white-sheeted, hooded jerks terrorizing minorities and spreading their poison across the land. But some were fighting against the tide of hatred, the progressives, who were trying to bring about real change and make a difference in the lives of the poor and the oppressed.
And then there were the technological advancements, man. The radio, automobiles, and mass media changed how Americans communicated, traveled, and formed opinions. It was a time of significant change, all happening at breakneck speed. But what does it all mean? What's the significance of this time in American history? Well, it's simple, my friend. It's a cautionary tale, a warning of what can happen when we let hate and prejudice take hold. It's a reminder of the importance of progress and social justice and the need always to be vigilant and fight against the forces of darkness. And it's a reminder that the wild ride of history is never over and that we must always be ready for what comes next. In conclusion, the period between 1920 and 1928 in American history is crucial to study. The cultural, political, and technological changes during this time had a lasting impact on American society and continue to shape our understanding of the world today. Understanding this period can help us understand the current issues we face and how they relate to the past.
#5 History in Not Monolithic
Pay attention: this next part is crucial for you to understand the nuances of history. This is most likely my most important rule. Ultimately, I tell my students at the beginning of every semester. Rule Number Five of History is History is not monolithic. It is told through countless eyes and countless lenses. Unfortunately, this is the first thing to go when organizing historical thoughts. When building a timeline of events, the historian must separate the vital from the trivial and mundane. However, this becomes challenging to do objectively. Like it or not, our worldview decides what is important to us. And our worldview is formed from our backgrounds and our values. Knowing this, we tend to have our history spoon-fed from a specific demographic, generally upper-class white Christian men. Before you cancel me, I must stress that this is not an attack but merely an observation. Those stories are important. That history must be preserved and retold. But what about other demographics? When drudging through American history, we spend much of our time dissecting the slave economy of the 19th century, the butchering and abuses against the native Americans, and the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Again, all pivotal moments in time and critical for understanding our past. But there is so much more out there that needs to be addressed.
Asian American history and Latino history are, for the most part, nonexistent. Gay and Trans accounts are forgotten. Who was the first Muslim in the new world? The first Asians? Heck, what about the sports and games people played in the 17th century? All these concepts and stories beg to be addressed. I knew that publishers are limited to what they can include, especially at the hands of special interest groups and federal mandates in a textbook format. I am not tethered to that. This class can be whatever we shaped it into. It can grow and breathe as needed. And it will speak for the voiceless.
You see, history is not like a straight line. It's more like a big ol' plate of spaghetti. All tangled up, and different folks see different things in it. Take the whole colonization thing in America, the settlers saw it as a time of progress and expansion, but for the Native Americans, it was more like a big ol' heap of oppression. The same thing happened with the Civil Rights Movement. It was progress for some folks and a lot of violence and resistance for others. And it isn't just the past; it's the present, too. We keep reinterpreting and reevaluating things as new information comes to light. Like, the history of the women's suffrage movement, we used to see it from one angle, but now we're seeing it from all different perspectives, including the ones that were left out before—the same thing with the history of the transatlantic slave trade. We're seeing it from the point of view of the enslaved people, not just the slave traders.
So, history is not monolithic, it's a big ol' plate of spaghetti, and if we want to understand it, we got to look at it from all different angles. If we do, we'll get all the important stuff.
THE RUNDOWN
Pay attention: this next part is crucial for you to understand the nuances of history. This is most likely my most important rule. Ultimately, I tell my students at the beginning of every semester. Rule Number Five of History is History is not monolithic. It is told through countless eyes and countless lenses. Unfortunately, this is the first thing to go when organizing historical thoughts. When building a timeline of events, the historian must separate the vital from the trivial and mundane. However, this becomes challenging to do objectively. Like it or not, our worldview decides what is important to us. And our worldview is formed from our backgrounds and our values. Knowing this, we tend to have our history spoon-fed from a specific demographic, generally upper-class white Christian men. Before you cancel me, I must stress that this is not an attack but merely an observation. Those stories are important. That history must be preserved and retold. But what about other demographics? When drudging through American history, we spend much of our time dissecting the slave economy of the 19th century, the butchering and abuses against the native Americans, and the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Again, all pivotal moments in time and critical for understanding our past. But there is so much more out there that needs to be addressed.
Asian American history and Latino history are, for the most part, nonexistent. Gay and Trans accounts are forgotten. Who was the first Muslim in the new world? The first Asians? Heck, what about the sports and games people played in the 17th century? All these concepts and stories beg to be addressed. I knew that publishers are limited to what they can include, especially at the hands of special interest groups and federal mandates in a textbook format. I am not tethered to that. This class can be whatever we shaped it into. It can grow and breathe as needed. And it will speak for the voiceless.
You see, history is not like a straight line. It's more like a big ol' plate of spaghetti. All tangled up, and different folks see different things in it. Take the whole colonization thing in America, the settlers saw it as a time of progress and expansion, but for the Native Americans, it was more like a big ol' heap of oppression. The same thing happened with the Civil Rights Movement. It was progress for some folks and a lot of violence and resistance for others. And it isn't just the past; it's the present, too. We keep reinterpreting and reevaluating things as new information comes to light. Like, the history of the women's suffrage movement, we used to see it from one angle, but now we're seeing it from all different perspectives, including the ones that were left out before—the same thing with the history of the transatlantic slave trade. We're seeing it from the point of view of the enslaved people, not just the slave traders.
So, history is not monolithic, it's a big ol' plate of spaghetti, and if we want to understand it, we got to look at it from all different angles. If we do, we'll get all the important stuff.
THE RUNDOWN
- History isn't just one version told by one group of people. It's said in different ways, depending on who is telling it.
- What we care about in history is shaped by our experiences and origins.
- Usually, history is taught by wealthy white Christian men, but it's essential to learn about the experiences of other groups too.
- We need to learn about the history of different groups like Asian Americans, Latinos, Gay/Trans people, sports, games, and others.
- Think of history like a plate of spaghetti, with many interpretations and viewpoints that change as we learn more.
- To understand history, we must look at it from many different perspectives.
HIGHLIGHTS
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We've got some fine classroom lectures coming your way, all courtesy of the RPTM podcast. These lectures will take you on a wild ride through history, exploring everything from ancient civilizations and epic battles to scientific breakthroughs and artistic revolutions. The podcast will guide you through each lecture with its no-nonsense, straight-talking style, using various sources to give you the lowdown on each topic. You won't find any fancy-pants jargon or convoluted theories here, just plain and straightforward explanations anyone can understand. So sit back and prepare to soak up some knowledge.
LECTURES
LECTURES
- COMING SOON
READING
Carnes, Chapter 23 Woodrow Wilson and the Great War
This class utilizes the following textbook:
Carnes, Mark C., and John A. Garraty. American Destiny: Narrative of a Nation. 4th ed. Vol. 2.: Pearson, 2011.
Mark C. Carnes and John A. Garraty are respected historians who have made notable contributions to American history. Carnes specializes in American education and culture, focusing on the role of secret societies in shaping American culture in the 19th century. Garraty is known for his general surveys of American history, his biographies of American historical figures and studies of specific aspects of American history, and his clear and accessible writing.
Carnes, Chapter 23 Woodrow Wilson and the Great War
This class utilizes the following textbook:
Carnes, Mark C., and John A. Garraty. American Destiny: Narrative of a Nation. 4th ed. Vol. 2.: Pearson, 2011.
Mark C. Carnes and John A. Garraty are respected historians who have made notable contributions to American history. Carnes specializes in American education and culture, focusing on the role of secret societies in shaping American culture in the 19th century. Garraty is known for his general surveys of American history, his biographies of American historical figures and studies of specific aspects of American history, and his clear and accessible writing.
Howard Zinn was a historian, writer, and political activist known for his critical analysis of American history. He is particularly well-known for his counter-narrative to traditional American history accounts and highlights marginalized groups' experiences and perspectives. Zinn's work is often associated with social history and is known for his Marxist and socialist views. Larry Schweikart is also a historian, but his work and perspective are often considered more conservative. Schweikart's work is often associated with military history, and he is known for his support of free-market economics and limited government. Overall, Zinn and Schweikart have different perspectives on various historical issues and events and may interpret historical events and phenomena differently. Occasionally, we will also look at Thaddeus Russell, a historian, author, and academic. Russell has written extensively on the history of social and cultural change, and his work focuses on how marginalized and oppressed groups have challenged and transformed mainstream culture. Russell is known for his unconventional and controversial ideas, and his work has been praised for its originality and provocative nature.
My classes utilize both Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and Larry Schweikart's Patriot's History of the United States, mostly in excerpts posted to the modules. You can access the full text of People's History or Patriot's History by clicking on the links.
My classes utilize both Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and Larry Schweikart's Patriot's History of the United States, mostly in excerpts posted to the modules. You can access the full text of People's History or Patriot's History by clicking on the links.
Zinn, A People's History of the United States
The Ku Klux Klan was revived in the 1920s, and it spread into the North. By 1924 it had 4M million members. The NAACP seemed helpless in the face of mob violence and race hatred everywhere. The impossibility of the black persons ever being considered equal in white
America was the theme of the nationalist movement led in the 1920s by Marcus Garvey. He preached black pride, racial separation, and a return to Africa, which to him held the only hope for black unity and survival. But Garvey's movement, inspiring as it was to some
blacks, could not make much headway against the powerful white supremacy currents of the postwar decade.
There was some truth to the standard picture of the twenties as a time of prosperity and fun the Jazz Age, the Roaring Twenties. Unemployment was down, from 4,270,000 in 1921 to a little over 2 million in 1927. The general level of wages for workers rose. Some farmers made a lot of money. The 40 percent of all families who made over $2,000 a year could buy new gadgets: autos, radios, refrigerators. Millions of people were not doing badly-and they could shut out of the picture the others-the tenant farmers, black and white, the immigrant families in the big cities either without work or not making enough to get the basic
necessities.
But prosperity was concentrated at the top. While from 1922 to 1929 real wages in manufacturing went up per capita 1.4 percent a year, the holders of common stocks gained 16.4 percent a year. Six million families (42 percent of the total) made less than $1,000 a year. One-tenth of 1 percent of the families at the top received as much income as 42 percent of the families at the bottom, according to a report of the Brookings Institution. Every year in the 1920s, about 25,000 workers were killed on the job and 100,000 permanently disabled. Two million people in New York City lived in tenements condemned as rattraps.
The Ku Klux Klan was revived in the 1920s, and it spread into the North. By 1924 it had 4M million members. The NAACP seemed helpless in the face of mob violence and race hatred everywhere. The impossibility of the black persons ever being considered equal in white
America was the theme of the nationalist movement led in the 1920s by Marcus Garvey. He preached black pride, racial separation, and a return to Africa, which to him held the only hope for black unity and survival. But Garvey's movement, inspiring as it was to some
blacks, could not make much headway against the powerful white supremacy currents of the postwar decade.
There was some truth to the standard picture of the twenties as a time of prosperity and fun the Jazz Age, the Roaring Twenties. Unemployment was down, from 4,270,000 in 1921 to a little over 2 million in 1927. The general level of wages for workers rose. Some farmers made a lot of money. The 40 percent of all families who made over $2,000 a year could buy new gadgets: autos, radios, refrigerators. Millions of people were not doing badly-and they could shut out of the picture the others-the tenant farmers, black and white, the immigrant families in the big cities either without work or not making enough to get the basic
necessities.
But prosperity was concentrated at the top. While from 1922 to 1929 real wages in manufacturing went up per capita 1.4 percent a year, the holders of common stocks gained 16.4 percent a year. Six million families (42 percent of the total) made less than $1,000 a year. One-tenth of 1 percent of the families at the top received as much income as 42 percent of the families at the bottom, according to a report of the Brookings Institution. Every year in the 1920s, about 25,000 workers were killed on the job and 100,000 permanently disabled. Two million people in New York City lived in tenements condemned as rattraps.
Larry Schweikart, A Patriot's History of the United States
"...As the idealism of Prohibition faded, and the reality of crime associated with bootlegging set in, the effort to ban alcohol began to unravel. One reason was that enforcement mechanisms were pitifully weak. The government had hired only fifteen hundred agents to support local police, compared to the thousand gunmen in Al Capone’s employ added to the dozens of other gangs of comparable size. Gunplay and violence, as law enforcement agents tried to shut down bootlegging operations, led to countless deaths. Intergang warfare killed hundreds in Chicago alone between 1920 and 1927. By some estimates, the number of bootleggers and illegal saloons went up after Prohibition. Washington, D.C., and Boston both saw the stratospheric increase in the number of liquor joints. Kansas, the origin of the dry movement, did not have a town where alcohol could not be obtained, at least according to an expert witness before the House Judiciary Committee.
The leadership of the early Prohibition movement included many famous women, such as Carry Nation, who were concerned with protecting the nuclear family from the assault by liquor and prostitution. She was wrong in her assessment of the problem. Far from protecting women by improving the character of men, Prohibition perversely led women down to the saloon. Cocktails, especially, were in vogue among these 'liberated' women, who, like their reformer sisters, came from the ranks of the well-to-do.
Liquor spread through organized crime into the hands (or bellies) of the lower classes only gradually in the 1920s, eventually entering into the political arena with the presidential campaign of Al Smith. By that time, much of the support for Prohibition had disappeared because several factors had coalesced to destroy the dry coalition. First, the drys lost some of their flexible and dynamic leaders, who in turn were replaced with more dogmatic and less imaginative types. Second, dry
politicians, who were already in power, bore much of the blame for the economic fallout associated with the market crash in 1929. Third, public tastes had shifted (literally in some cases) to accommodate the new freedom of the age represented by the automobile and the radio. Restricting individual choices about anything did not fit well with those new icons. Finally, states chafed under federal laws. Above all, the liquor industry pumped massive resources into the repeal campaign, obtaining a “monopoly on…press coverage by providing reporters with reliable—and constant— information. 'By the late 1920s and early 1930s, “it was unusual to find a story about prohibition in small local papers that did not have its origin with the [anti-Prohibition forces].'"
"...As the idealism of Prohibition faded, and the reality of crime associated with bootlegging set in, the effort to ban alcohol began to unravel. One reason was that enforcement mechanisms were pitifully weak. The government had hired only fifteen hundred agents to support local police, compared to the thousand gunmen in Al Capone’s employ added to the dozens of other gangs of comparable size. Gunplay and violence, as law enforcement agents tried to shut down bootlegging operations, led to countless deaths. Intergang warfare killed hundreds in Chicago alone between 1920 and 1927. By some estimates, the number of bootleggers and illegal saloons went up after Prohibition. Washington, D.C., and Boston both saw the stratospheric increase in the number of liquor joints. Kansas, the origin of the dry movement, did not have a town where alcohol could not be obtained, at least according to an expert witness before the House Judiciary Committee.
The leadership of the early Prohibition movement included many famous women, such as Carry Nation, who were concerned with protecting the nuclear family from the assault by liquor and prostitution. She was wrong in her assessment of the problem. Far from protecting women by improving the character of men, Prohibition perversely led women down to the saloon. Cocktails, especially, were in vogue among these 'liberated' women, who, like their reformer sisters, came from the ranks of the well-to-do.
Liquor spread through organized crime into the hands (or bellies) of the lower classes only gradually in the 1920s, eventually entering into the political arena with the presidential campaign of Al Smith. By that time, much of the support for Prohibition had disappeared because several factors had coalesced to destroy the dry coalition. First, the drys lost some of their flexible and dynamic leaders, who in turn were replaced with more dogmatic and less imaginative types. Second, dry
politicians, who were already in power, bore much of the blame for the economic fallout associated with the market crash in 1929. Third, public tastes had shifted (literally in some cases) to accommodate the new freedom of the age represented by the automobile and the radio. Restricting individual choices about anything did not fit well with those new icons. Finally, states chafed under federal laws. Above all, the liquor industry pumped massive resources into the repeal campaign, obtaining a “monopoly on…press coverage by providing reporters with reliable—and constant— information. 'By the late 1920s and early 1930s, “it was unusual to find a story about prohibition in small local papers that did not have its origin with the [anti-Prohibition forces].'"
Zinn, A People's History of the United States
"...Beginning on January 16, 1920, the date the Eighteenth Amendment went into effect, rumrunners employed by Italian and Jewish crime syndicates delivered liquor all along the coasts of the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico. In the North, giant sleds carrying cases of liquor were pulled across the border from Canada. Thanks to these efforts and the overwhelming desire of Americans to drink, consumption of sacramental wine increased by eight hundred thousand gallons during the first two years of Prohibition. Speakeasies, many of which were owned by criminals, could be found in every neighborhood in every city in the country. In Manhattan alone, there were five thousand speakeasies at one point in the 1920s. Women, who had been barred from most saloons before Prohibition, were welcome in speakeasies and became regular customers. When a rumrunner boat escaped a Coast Guard ship off Coney Island one summer day, thousands of people on the beach stood and cheered. All of this helps explain why gangsters became the heroes of the Prohibition era, both in the movies and in real life..."
"...Beginning on January 16, 1920, the date the Eighteenth Amendment went into effect, rumrunners employed by Italian and Jewish crime syndicates delivered liquor all along the coasts of the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico. In the North, giant sleds carrying cases of liquor were pulled across the border from Canada. Thanks to these efforts and the overwhelming desire of Americans to drink, consumption of sacramental wine increased by eight hundred thousand gallons during the first two years of Prohibition. Speakeasies, many of which were owned by criminals, could be found in every neighborhood in every city in the country. In Manhattan alone, there were five thousand speakeasies at one point in the 1920s. Women, who had been barred from most saloons before Prohibition, were welcome in speakeasies and became regular customers. When a rumrunner boat escaped a Coast Guard ship off Coney Island one summer day, thousands of people on the beach stood and cheered. All of this helps explain why gangsters became the heroes of the Prohibition era, both in the movies and in real life..."
What Does Professor Lancaster Think?
Prohibition, the attempt to legislate morality and personal behavior through the ban on alcohol, was a significant failure in American history. This movement, driven by the desire of the ruling class to protect their societal norms, was primarily aimed at protecting the so-called "weaker members" of society, particularly women and children, from the perceived adverse effects of alcohol. However, the implementation of Prohibition in 1920 resulted in many unintended consequences that affected the working class and marginalized communities, such as the African American community.
The enforcement of Prohibition laws increased organized crime, as criminal organizations saw an opportunity to profit from the illegal sale of alcohol. This led to violence and corruption as these criminal organizations fought for control of the black market. Meanwhile, the working class and marginalized communities bore the brunt of the consequences, as they were disproportionately targeted and arrested for violating Prohibition laws. Furthermore, the focus on Prohibition overshadowed other pressing issues, such as poverty and inequality, affecting large population segments. The failure of Prohibition highlighted the limitations of attempting to legislate morality and personal behavior and the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing social problems.
The African American community, already facing discrimination and marginalization, was disproportionately affected by Prohibition laws. The enforcement of these laws led to a further erosion of their civil rights and a continuation of racial discrimination. The Ku Klux Klan, those hooded ghouls, rose from the ashes of the Civil War like a Phoenix made of pure racism. Four million members, strong, spread their hateful tentacles throughout the North, leaving the NAACP floundering. Meanwhile, Marcus Garvey tried to drum up some pride and unity among black folks, preaching about a return to Africa. But even his inspiring words couldn't stop the tide of white supremacy sweeping the nation in the 1920s. It was as if the entire country was a giant game of whack-a-mole, and every time one hateful group was knocked down, another one popped up. And let's not forget that while all this was happening, people were still struggling to make ends meet and just trying to survive. The rich were getting richer, the poor were getting poorer, and everyone else was trying not to get caught in the crossfire.
On the surface, the 1920s looked like one big party. The jazz was hot, the drinks were flowing, and it seemed like everyone was living the high life. But when you peel back the layers, it becomes clear that this so-called "Roaring Twenties" wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Sure, unemployment and wages were down, but that's only half the story. The truth is a select few only enjoyed the prosperity of the 1920s. Most folks were still struggling to make ends meet, and the income gap between the rich and the poor was broader than ever before. It's like the old saying goes, "the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer." And that's precisely what happened during this decade. The wealthy elite raked in money hand over fist, while the working class and farmers were barely scraping by. It's not a pretty picture, but it's the truth.
As the dream of a sober nation began to fade into a hazy nightmare, the true nature of Prohibition was exposed for all to see. Chicago was a war zone, with bodies piling up on the roads from intergang warfare. The Feds were laughably outgunned, with a measly 1500 agents trying to take down the heavy artillery of Capone's crew and the dozens of other gangs running rampant. Blood flowed in the streets as law enforcement tried clogging down the bootlegging operations. And yet, despite all the bloodshed, the number of bootleggers and illegal speakeasies only seemed to multiply like rats in a dumpster.
The leadership of the early Prohibition movement, headed by powerful white women such as Carry Nation, aimed to protect the "traditional" nuclear family from the supposed negative influences of alcohol and prostitution. However, the reality of Prohibition was far different from the utopian vision promised by its leaders. Instead of uplifting and empowering women, Prohibition perversely led them down to the saloons, where cocktails and other forms of alcohol became fashionable among the upper-class "liberated" women. This illustrates the gap between the rhetoric of the movement and the lived experiences of those it purported to help, particularly the working-class and marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the enforcement of Prohibition.
Like all grand experiments, it was doomed to failure from the start. The bootleggers had a field day, and the lower classes were the ones who suffered the most. And let's not forget the good ol' political machine; they couldn't resist getting their hands dirty. The market crash in '29 only served to speed up the demise of the drys; they couldn't handle the heat. And the public, well, they just wanted to have a damn drink in peace. And so it was; the 21st Amendment passed, and the bars were open again. But the scars of Prohibition remained, a reminder that you can't legislate morality."
Prohibition was one hell of a ride, trying to legislate morality and keep the masses on the straight and narrow. But, like most things, the execution was a complete and utter disaster. Weak enforcement, corruption, and organized crime ran rampant. The focus on Prohibition blinded us to real issues affecting many of our fellow Americans, like poverty and inequality. It was a classic case of good intentions gone awry. It's a reminder that we can't force people to do the right thing when it comes to personal behavior and morality. We can only hope to lead by example and hope that others will follow suit. Prohibition was a cautionary tale of what happens when we try to control people's actions, and it's a lesson we should all keep in mind. And let me tell you, the repeal of Prohibition was one hell of a party. It was a damn good day for the American people and a damn good day for good old-fashioned American excess.
Prohibition was a real kick in the teeth for the African American community. The man came down on them hard with this complete ban on alcohol gig. The numbers don't lie, brother - disproportionately, more of them were getting pinched for breaking the damn laws. And let me tell you, it was a natural slippery slope from there. The erosion of civil rights and the continuation of racial discrimination were all just a big ol' mess. That's how it goes in the land of the free, right? The man's always got to keep the little guy down. The era of Prohibition in America was a telling chapter in our nation's history, one that illustrates the flaws of attempting to impose moralistic values through legislation. The Prohibition of alcohol was driven by a desire to protect society, particularly women and children, from the harmful effects of alcohol and to promote traditional values. However, the reality of the situation was far different. The implementation of Prohibition led to a host of unintended consequences, including increased organized crime, violence, and corruption, as well as a decline in support for the movement.
The failure of Prohibition is not just a story of a failed policy but a story of how the government's attempts to regulate personal behavior disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The African American community, in particular, was disproportionately affected by the ban on alcohol, with a higher rate of arrests and convictions for violating Prohibition laws. This led to further erosion of their civil rights and a continuation of racial discrimination. It is important to remember that the failure of Prohibition was not an isolated event but a reflection of a larger pattern of government policies that have perpetuated inequality and oppression. The need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing social problems, one that addresses the root causes and considers the diverse perspectives and conditions of all members of society, is more critical now than ever. We can create a more just and equitable society for all through a systemic and holistic approach.
Prohibition, the attempt to legislate morality and personal behavior through the ban on alcohol, was a significant failure in American history. This movement, driven by the desire of the ruling class to protect their societal norms, was primarily aimed at protecting the so-called "weaker members" of society, particularly women and children, from the perceived adverse effects of alcohol. However, the implementation of Prohibition in 1920 resulted in many unintended consequences that affected the working class and marginalized communities, such as the African American community.
The enforcement of Prohibition laws increased organized crime, as criminal organizations saw an opportunity to profit from the illegal sale of alcohol. This led to violence and corruption as these criminal organizations fought for control of the black market. Meanwhile, the working class and marginalized communities bore the brunt of the consequences, as they were disproportionately targeted and arrested for violating Prohibition laws. Furthermore, the focus on Prohibition overshadowed other pressing issues, such as poverty and inequality, affecting large population segments. The failure of Prohibition highlighted the limitations of attempting to legislate morality and personal behavior and the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing social problems.
The African American community, already facing discrimination and marginalization, was disproportionately affected by Prohibition laws. The enforcement of these laws led to a further erosion of their civil rights and a continuation of racial discrimination. The Ku Klux Klan, those hooded ghouls, rose from the ashes of the Civil War like a Phoenix made of pure racism. Four million members, strong, spread their hateful tentacles throughout the North, leaving the NAACP floundering. Meanwhile, Marcus Garvey tried to drum up some pride and unity among black folks, preaching about a return to Africa. But even his inspiring words couldn't stop the tide of white supremacy sweeping the nation in the 1920s. It was as if the entire country was a giant game of whack-a-mole, and every time one hateful group was knocked down, another one popped up. And let's not forget that while all this was happening, people were still struggling to make ends meet and just trying to survive. The rich were getting richer, the poor were getting poorer, and everyone else was trying not to get caught in the crossfire.
On the surface, the 1920s looked like one big party. The jazz was hot, the drinks were flowing, and it seemed like everyone was living the high life. But when you peel back the layers, it becomes clear that this so-called "Roaring Twenties" wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Sure, unemployment and wages were down, but that's only half the story. The truth is a select few only enjoyed the prosperity of the 1920s. Most folks were still struggling to make ends meet, and the income gap between the rich and the poor was broader than ever before. It's like the old saying goes, "the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer." And that's precisely what happened during this decade. The wealthy elite raked in money hand over fist, while the working class and farmers were barely scraping by. It's not a pretty picture, but it's the truth.
As the dream of a sober nation began to fade into a hazy nightmare, the true nature of Prohibition was exposed for all to see. Chicago was a war zone, with bodies piling up on the roads from intergang warfare. The Feds were laughably outgunned, with a measly 1500 agents trying to take down the heavy artillery of Capone's crew and the dozens of other gangs running rampant. Blood flowed in the streets as law enforcement tried clogging down the bootlegging operations. And yet, despite all the bloodshed, the number of bootleggers and illegal speakeasies only seemed to multiply like rats in a dumpster.
The leadership of the early Prohibition movement, headed by powerful white women such as Carry Nation, aimed to protect the "traditional" nuclear family from the supposed negative influences of alcohol and prostitution. However, the reality of Prohibition was far different from the utopian vision promised by its leaders. Instead of uplifting and empowering women, Prohibition perversely led them down to the saloons, where cocktails and other forms of alcohol became fashionable among the upper-class "liberated" women. This illustrates the gap between the rhetoric of the movement and the lived experiences of those it purported to help, particularly the working-class and marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the enforcement of Prohibition.
Like all grand experiments, it was doomed to failure from the start. The bootleggers had a field day, and the lower classes were the ones who suffered the most. And let's not forget the good ol' political machine; they couldn't resist getting their hands dirty. The market crash in '29 only served to speed up the demise of the drys; they couldn't handle the heat. And the public, well, they just wanted to have a damn drink in peace. And so it was; the 21st Amendment passed, and the bars were open again. But the scars of Prohibition remained, a reminder that you can't legislate morality."
Prohibition was one hell of a ride, trying to legislate morality and keep the masses on the straight and narrow. But, like most things, the execution was a complete and utter disaster. Weak enforcement, corruption, and organized crime ran rampant. The focus on Prohibition blinded us to real issues affecting many of our fellow Americans, like poverty and inequality. It was a classic case of good intentions gone awry. It's a reminder that we can't force people to do the right thing when it comes to personal behavior and morality. We can only hope to lead by example and hope that others will follow suit. Prohibition was a cautionary tale of what happens when we try to control people's actions, and it's a lesson we should all keep in mind. And let me tell you, the repeal of Prohibition was one hell of a party. It was a damn good day for the American people and a damn good day for good old-fashioned American excess.
Prohibition was a real kick in the teeth for the African American community. The man came down on them hard with this complete ban on alcohol gig. The numbers don't lie, brother - disproportionately, more of them were getting pinched for breaking the damn laws. And let me tell you, it was a natural slippery slope from there. The erosion of civil rights and the continuation of racial discrimination were all just a big ol' mess. That's how it goes in the land of the free, right? The man's always got to keep the little guy down. The era of Prohibition in America was a telling chapter in our nation's history, one that illustrates the flaws of attempting to impose moralistic values through legislation. The Prohibition of alcohol was driven by a desire to protect society, particularly women and children, from the harmful effects of alcohol and to promote traditional values. However, the reality of the situation was far different. The implementation of Prohibition led to a host of unintended consequences, including increased organized crime, violence, and corruption, as well as a decline in support for the movement.
The failure of Prohibition is not just a story of a failed policy but a story of how the government's attempts to regulate personal behavior disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The African American community, in particular, was disproportionately affected by the ban on alcohol, with a higher rate of arrests and convictions for violating Prohibition laws. This led to further erosion of their civil rights and a continuation of racial discrimination. It is important to remember that the failure of Prohibition was not an isolated event but a reflection of a larger pattern of government policies that have perpetuated inequality and oppression. The need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing social problems, one that addresses the root causes and considers the diverse perspectives and conditions of all members of society, is more critical now than ever. We can create a more just and equitable society for all through a systemic and holistic approach.
Tulsa's Greenwood District in 1921 after a white mob razed the predominately Black community.
KEYTERMS
ASSIGNMENTS
Forum Discussion #6
- 1920 Volstead Act
- 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain
- 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
- 1922 peanut butter/Jelly Sandwich
- 1922 Insulin
- 1922 Charles Atlas
- 1922 The Power of Love
- 1923 First Folk Blue Album
- 1924 Johnson-Reed Act
- 1924 The Society for Human Rights
- 1925- Motels
- 1925 Scopes Trial
- 1926 Cheeseburger
- 1926- Route 66
- 1926 Ernest Hemingway
- 1926 Veteran’s Day
- 1927 The Jazz Singer
- 1927 Smores
- 1928 Steamboat Willie
- 1928 The Queen's Messenger
- 1928 Bernarr Macfadden
ASSIGNMENTS
- Forum Discussion #6
Forum Discussion #6
"Steamboat Willie" is a 1928 American animated short film directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. It is considered to be the debut of Mickey Mouse and his girlfriend Minnie, and is widely regarded as the first true sound cartoon. The film was released on November 18, 1928, and was a critical and commercial success. It was the first of over 150 films featuring Mickey Mouse, and is considered to be a milestone in animation history. The film is known for its synchronized sound and use of a pre-existing song, "Steamboat Bill", as well as its inventive use of sound effects. What the short film and then answer the following:
"What are your thoughts on the historical significance and impact of 'Steamboat Willie' on the animation industry? How do you think the synchronized sound and use of pre-existing music in the film influenced the future of animation and the development of the character of Mickey Mouse?"
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LEGAL MUMBO JUMBO
"What are your thoughts on the historical significance and impact of 'Steamboat Willie' on the animation industry? How do you think the synchronized sound and use of pre-existing music in the film influenced the future of animation and the development of the character of Mickey Mouse?"
Need help? Remember the Discussion Board Rubric.
LEGAL MUMBO JUMBO
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