People in America did not appreciate the 18th amendment, so the speakeasies were their go-to solution. The general public weren't the only people that wanted the amendment to be abolished-police officials were in on the speakeasies too!
Statistics show that for every one bar that closed down, three more would open up in its place.
There were even secret codewords for alcohol including:
- white mule
- rotgut
- monkey rum
- tarantula juice
- panther sweat
- horse liniment
- coffin varnish
The alcohol had code words because people in society were trying to do something illegal without getting caught. Speakeasies had a tremendous impact on society in the 1920s because it gave them a way to break the 18th amendment. A speakeasy can relate to modern day secret clubs and even drug deals. The secret clubs relate because speakeasies were obviously secret places that not many people knew about. The drug deals relate because in some parts of the country certain drugs are prohibited, and people can get in trouble with the government if they're caught selling or participating in the use of drugs.
Overall, speakeasies were societies way of acting out against the government, fighting for a change so that they can drink without having to hide.
Works Cited
https://listverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/4-women-freedom-speakeasies.jpg
https://9rm52pnjcvdzcxx3-zippykid.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/prohibition-photos.jpg
http://theroaringtwentieshistory.blogspot.com/2010/06/prohibition-and-speakeasies.html
Katelynn - I love how you are able to capture the reader's attention so quickly with a catchy title! I also like how it is evident that you did your research about how alcohol was accessed during the Prohibition era. You mentioned that a modern day equivalent might be the drug "industry". My question for you is - why do you think drinking was more "socially acceptable" then than drug selling and usage is today?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words! I think that drinking was more "socially acceptable" then than drug selling and usage today because back in about 1914 drugs went "illegal" and there a just a few places that have lifted the law. Since the alcohol prohibition got amended so that people could actually drink just a few years after it was put in place, it seems like people would be more for alcohol. Since the drug laws have been in place for a while people have weened more towards alcohol and therefore it has become more socially unacceptable for the use of drugs.
DeleteHey Katelynn, I really found it interesting that back in the day there were so many different words for alcohol! The comparison of speakeasies to drug deals made me realize we somewhat do have things like these in todays world. I was wondering if you thought the governments legalization of alcohol was the right move for the time at hand?
ReplyDeleteI do think that the legalization of alcohol was the right move for the time at hand because obviously people were still doing it often. So, in order to gain back a little more control I think the government was right to legalize alcohol again. (They would gain back control because there wouldn't be any more speakeasies so they'd know more about what's happening with businesses, and they could control the alcohol that's put out in bars if they wanted).
DeleteHey girl! I love your blog topic and how you really elaborated on how prohibition didn't actually stop a lot of people in the 1920's. I love how you showed that you did some more research on this topic. And i also like how you included the "codewowrds" at bars. But my question to you is, if prohibition never existed would America have gotten worse as a society?
ReplyDelete