...considered (and why) and those I discarded There were quite a few topics I wanted to do but chose otherwise for a few reasons. Upon receiving the notification my initial instinct was to go ahead and do popular culture in the 1960's, especially surrounding rock and roll at the time. I have been an avid researcher of that topic and therefore discarded it because I also wanted to learn many new things. From then on were other topics relating pop culture such as film, fashion, and day to day living but yet could not find a topic well suited for me. Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia was a topic well considered but again uncertainty is what made me go against it. I wanted a topic I briefly knew about but something where I could learn much more and was reminded of a documentary on 1920's alcohol prohibition, something I knew briefly but wanted to know more of, a topic I was certain about. Topic I've chosen and why...
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...Beginning in 1920, the 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol, but the idea of sobriety began more than a century earlier. Eventually, religious groups, politicians, and social organizations supported total abolishment of alcohol, leading to Prohibition. The 18th Amendment caused an influx of organized crime and was eventually repealed in 1933. Why did Americans want the Prohibition amendment passed? How did Prohibition fit into the goals of the progressive reform? What were its effects, and why was it eventually repealed? And was the passage of this amendment right or wrong? The Prohibition, started with the ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1919. The ban was not officially put into effect until January...
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...Prohibition began in 1920 and ending in 1933 in the United States. The 18th Amendment started the law which mentioned all intoxicating liquors whether it be sale, transportation, or any other related alcohol usage is prohibited. The Volstead Act also helped in enforcing prohibition for the amendment. During this time there was a lack of support in trying to ban alcohol amongst many individuals and groups but the ban still continued on thanks to the help of the Anti-Saloon League. This organization enabled legislation for the enforcement of national prohibition beginning in 1920. Although it was passed and did reduce the availability of alcohol, it failed to do what is was meant to do. Prohibition directly led to the increase in crime and corruption during the twenties, the public health problems associated with bootleg liquor, alcohol substitutes, the irritated tensions between religious, racial, social groups, and political disturbance. A nation of drunkards was persistent in the U.S. Neil Dowe gathered thousands of signatures demanding the ban of sale of alcohol. It was passed in Maine but sooner decayed over years. Temperant walked the streets and drunkenness of was no more. People found loopholes around the law such as liquor sellers hiding it underneath their pantlegs called bootleggers. Men were more occupied on drinking rather than supporting their own families. Prior to the 20th century, there had never been national attempt to restrict alcohol production in the America...
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...twenties period is the backbone of this story, characters in the novel directly correlate with the illegal, rebellious, and careless behaviors that are seen in the twenties. The prohibition caused lots of problems in this time period when it came to crime and binge drinking. First It is important to understand the social, political and economic effects of prohibition. In 1917 the Eighteenth Amendment was passed and stated that you couldn’t make, sell or transport any alcohol. The prohibitionist movement had a wide variety of supporters, including: Women, Church’s, employers and politicians. In the 1928 Presidential campaign Herbert Hoover won by calling prohibition “a great social and economic experiment, noble in motive and farreaching in purpose; " this is interesting because it shows to the public that he is in favor of prohibition, but by calling it an experiment it shows that he may have some concerns about it .It definitely was an experiment that in the end was not very successful. The anti-prohibitionist of the time disagreed because they thought that the government had too much power because the enforcement of the law caused controversy with things like warrantless searches, wiretapping and multiple gun battles. The biggest problem that was starting to form was that prohibition was causing a breakdown of respect for the law and...
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...member) when they met their boyfriend. How did the First World War change the lives of women? * During the war, women began to work in areas like heavy industry. They proved they could work as well as men. By 1929, there were 10 million women workers; a rise of 24% since 1920. * Working gave women independence and they began smoking and drinking in public. * Women were given the vote in August 1920 but few were chosen to be actual politicians. * Production of consumer goods such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines meant women had more time for leisure activities. * Flappers emerged in the 1920’s = women from middle and upper class families from the Northern States. They cut their hair in short bobs, wore make up, short skirts and bright clothes. They also smoked and drank in public, went to speakeasies, danced the Charleston with men and listened to Jazz and drove cars and motorbikes. * BUT many groups, particularly in rural areas thought the flappers were too outrageous. * Hollywood saw the emergence of female stars such as Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson who * were female role models. * Advertising was aimed at women for the new consumer goods of the 1920s e.g in 1925 Ford introduced colours other than black for his Model T to appeal to women. * Divorce rate doubled between 1914-1929...
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...organizations. The next step is to discuss the legal limitations that limit the ability of law enforcement to be able to bring criminal organizations to justice for their crimes. It will show what laws help limit the combat against organized crime and why they put legal limitations of law enforcement. This will lead to the final discussion on what would be a good solution to organized crime and how to bring them to justice legally. Controlling Organized Crime Organized crime groups in the United States date back to the 1900’s. In the 1900’s there were various groups that took form throughout the states. These groups started when immigrants came to the shore lines of the United States. Over the years threw segregation, prohibition and other factors that gave certain groups vast amounts of power, money and respect throughout their community. These groups took control over the crime in many areas they resided in and around. The organized crime groups that have had a big impact on the United States is the Irish Mafia, Italian Mafia, Klu Klux Klan, Hell’s Angels, drug cartels, Black Panthers, Yakuza, Triads, the Baker Gang, and the Mason Family. Each of this organization began to gain momentum during the prohibition era. Many began to form allies with one another to help transport liquor across the country for distribution and selling. These groups formed interrelationships to gain power and money. These interrelationships cause more problems in that it allowed...
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...Why did Prohibition last so long? 30 Marks Prohibition of Alcohol in America was introduced in 1920 with the 18th amendment of the constitution and was finally revoked in 1933. Prohibition was always considered a failure, due to the way it was policed, the fact the American people at the time liked to drink and the fact that alcohol was very easily accessible. Therefore the fact it lasted thirteen years, despite it being obvious within the first five that things were not working, seems incomprehensible. There are a number of factors which worked together to make prohibition last as long as it did. The most important being morale reasons behind introducing it at first, but the popularity of prohibition, the time it to repeal a law and the fact it didn’t really affect people’s lives too much also had an effect. Firstly, a reason why prohibition lasted so long was due to morale reasons. Reasons that were used to get the law passed in the first place still stood and people sympathised with them. For example many women’s groups saw alcohol as a means by which men oppressed them, and also though that the money spent on drink could be better used amongst the family with raising children and other general necessities. This attitude didn’t stop during the prohibition years as people were still drinking and hence propaganda regarding prohibition still bore the pictures of families with mothers and children longing for their husbands/fathers to support prohibition. Also drinking alcohol...
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...Sunny Herold Professor Moore History 132: Paper #2 2 December 2009 Shallow Babbitt George F. Babbitt is a text-book example of a conformist businessman whose life is based on appearance and material items. Lewis not only accurately portrays Babbitt as a symbol of the shady business world of the 1920’s, but also makes him a symbol of sympathy. Babbitt’s shallow fixations and arrogant behavior throughout the book reflect May Sinclair’s review of Babbitt as “a bundle of pompous negations, futilities, [and] preposterous vanities” (May Sinclair, “The Man from Main Street,” The New York Times, September 24, 1922). Although his character is criticized in such a negative light, his troubles are realistic and easy to relate to. Even with all of his amenities and thriving job, Babbitt is unhappy and fantasizes regularly. When Babbitt finally realizes his discontent and tries to change, he is shunned from the community. The setting of the novel is the 1920’s in a fictional city called Zenith, a typical booming town full of factories, hope, and skyscrapers. Lewis correctly depicts the time period after WWI, when business was booming and materialism was rampant. Everything was about industry and conforming. Everyone longed to have the best and most recent appliances and the best appearance. Therefore, there was a huge increase in consumer spending. Babbitt’s house in Floral Heights is described as being “right out of Cheerful Modern Houses for Medium Incomes” (Sinclair Lewis, Babbitt...
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...What was the Progressive movement? Explain some Progressive policies and ideals while also discussing some of the leaders of the Progressive movement and their role in American society. The Progressive Era was a movement that influenced the improvement of the United States through both political reform and social activism. This movement occurred from the 1890s to the 1920s. This era is marked by the policies, ideals, and people that positively transformed our nation. Though this movement was marked by many positive advancements, three policies are memorable enough to stand above the rest. The addition of women’s suffrage worked to give American women the representation they deserved. The entirety of the occupation issues found hazardous...
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...Dishonorable Times: American Gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s Journal of American Culture (33:3) [Sep 2010] , p.197-206. Honorable Style in Dishonorable Times: American Gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s Laura Beshears. The Journal of American Culture. Malden: Sep 2010. Vol. 33, Iss. 3; pg. 197, 10 pgs Abstract (Summary) Prohibition, which came into effect in July of 1920 with the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment, also illustrated the progressives' idealism, as many believed that the elimination of alcohol, because it allegedly created "poverty, marital distress, and negligence," would cleanse society (Mordden 141). [...] the birth of the radio and the movies as well as the development of flight induced excitement and fostered a vision of a society engaged in perpetual technological advancement (Mordden 47). [...] Horatio Alger, Jr. and his late nineteenth-century books- portraits of men who, born underprivileged, rose to wealth and success through hard work, honesty, self-confidence, commitment, and a bit of luck (Weiss 53-54) - characterized the progressive spirit, as it encouraged people to work hard for a better future and for the fulfillment of the American dream. Full Text (5892 words) Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Sep 2010 "You don't need to be ordering fancy duds," Frankie Rio advised his boss as a tailor took measurements of Capone's swollen physique at the Lexington Hotel. "You're going to prison. Why don't you have a suit made with stripes on it...
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...Just think if you got arrested for something you didn't do. A 55 year old went to jail for possession of a controlled substance.because her grandson was wanted. How one gangster controlled Chicago's whole police force. In the 1920s police corruption had a influence on society,politics and cultural impact. The social impact is important because it changed the way people look at cops. From 1988 to 1991 a group of 4 police officers stole 100,000 worth of drugs. Over the course of 4 years they planted them on innocent people. This made people realize that there had to be a change. A 55 year old grandmother was falsely arrested for drug possession. Three years later they were arrested. A Lot of change happens when they were arrested many people...
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...How far do you agree with the view that in the 1920s the Ku Klux Klan possessed neither sizeable support nor significant influence? I disagree to a certain extent with the view that in the 1920s the Ku Klux Klan possessed neither sizeable support nor significant influence. There is evidence in their favour to show that they did indeed posses sizeable support and influence in the 1920s. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) can be seen to have sizeable support in many ways. Firstly, by 1925 the KKK had a structure formed with a clear leadership pyramid and over 5 million members. Having 5 million members is explicit evidence that the KKK had sizeable support. Such a large number of members mean that the views and opinions of the KKK could spread to more areas around the country and increase support even more. Secondly, the KKK had changed from when it was first formed after the Civil War. It was a small town feature in the South that did not have that much support but changed in the 20s and moved away from just small towns. With this change support grew rapidly in not just rural areas of the country but also large urban conurbations. The move from small towns to large towns and even cities was important in increasing support for the KKK and this can be seen as a reason why the KKK possessed sizeable support. Thirdly, membership was not just restricted to the poor. Anyone could join no matter what their financial situation was, and this was a big change as it meant that more people could join...
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...The harmony of jazz music floats through the lit-up streets among hasty Americans. Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby details the characteristics in the 1920’s. Society is rolling in money and young women are exposing themselves more than ever before. Amusement in this jazz age is immense. Culture and lifestyles are changing into glamorous affairs. Lavish bashes and carousing mixed with a wealth-centered society is a recipe for carelessness; Fitzgerald recognizes the need for stimulating consciousness in the minds of his contemporaries through satire. Parties are thrown all over New York, most often in Gatsby’s opulent mansion. Nick Carraway observes, “The bar is in full swing, and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside, until the air is alive with chatter and laughter, and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot, and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each others’ names” (40). What is greatly exaggerated is the expression that nobody knows anybody they come across at the party. It is true that many of the guests are not truly invited, but have invited themselves. In fact, many of the attendees do not personally know Gatsby. Yet...
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...very costly. Needed to go to Wall Street to raise funds * More Concentrated ownership in the Industry * The language barrier ( Temporary decline in foreign film rentals) the advantage of films being silent made it universally acceptable, but with sound, Hollywood lost that advantage temporarily till they tried multi-language productions. By 1933- dubbing was used to get to their non-English audience. This was expensive * Development of new genres (music and film): new genres emerged with sophisticated comedies replaced silent comedies of Charlie Chaplin; Hollywood musical period emerged; existing genres transformed. There were also new kinds of genres in music. (Hollywood music popular in late 1920’s to early 1950’s) * Transformation of employment structure (musicians vs. script writers): musicians weren’t needed as much, which was a blow (Depression time). Screenwriters were more in demand, so writers moved towards California. They needed better writers; movies could have proper scripts and all. Journalists became sought after and established authors were hired by studios. * The Star System: they were tied to long contracts, not allowed to switch between them, but could be fired anytime - studios successfully kept costs down and controlled performers this way. THE PRODUCTION SYSTEM COMPANIES...
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...Demonstrating that the American class system determines your manner, Lifestyle and character 1. Introduction: Fitzgerald believed the American dream was false and distorted. 2. Stories showed the decadence of the Jazz Age but with a jaded view 3. 1920s a. About the time period b. “The Jazz Age” c. Wealth d. Social values e. Fashion 4. Works by Fitzgerald a. This Side of Paradise b. The Great Gatsby c. The love of the last tycoon 5. Symbolism a. Great Gatsby i. Green light ii. Valley of ashes (poor’s lack of values, unfaithful’s lack of morals) iii. Beat up car b. This Side of Paradise i. Speed and cars ii. Alcohol as means to forget c. The Love of the Last Tycoon i. Car ii. Sheep /people iii. Light/darkness as reality/fantasy 6. Theme a. American dream b. Class system c. Relationships 7. Conclusion The death of the “American Dream” was a notable part of the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. His use of symbolism and extensive writings on the large gap between the social classes demonstrated why he felt this way. According to his writings, Fitzgerald was of the opinion that where a person fell in the class system would play a huge role in how the American dream played out for them. Social class in America would determine the lifestyle, manners, wealth and opportunity which could be achieved. For those unlucky...
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