c) Study Sources E and F Which of these two sources is the more reliable as evidence about Prohibition?

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Jessica Hallett

c) Study Sources E and F Which of these two sources is the more reliable as evidence about Prohibition?

Prohibition was the banning of manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors. It became law in 1919, when temperance movements pressured Congress for the Eighteenth Amendment to the American Constitution. The Volstead Act of 1920 defined ‘intoxicating liquors’ as anything containing more than half a percent of alcohol. At the start of Prohibition, what with the enthusiasm and influence of both of the main temperance movements, the Anti-Saloon League and the Women’s Christian Union, many people were very keen about it and were convinced that it would work and was going to last. Many important people had few doubts that Prohibition was going to be a success. These two sources were written by influential people and although this may have meant that the source itself was slightly biased, this doesn’t make them useless.

Source E was a letter written in 1932 by a wealthy industrialist, John D. Rockefeller. He talks about his hopes for Prohibition “I hoped that it would be widely supported by public opinion and the day would come when the evil effects of alcohol would be recognised”. He is obviously a supporter of Prohibition, more commonly known as ‘dries’, and believed in the disastrous effects that alcohol has on everyone. The Source talks about the fact that he had anticipated that the majority of the public would agree with him and that Prohibition would work. However, he realises that in reality, this was not the result and is clearly disappointed. “I have slowly and reluctantly come to believe that this has not been the result” Rockefeller talks about the consequences of Prohibition, discussing that “drinking has generally increased”, speakeasies have become immensely popular, “a vast army of lawbreakers has appeared”, many openly ignore Prohibition, “respect for the law has been greatly lessened”, and there has been a massive increase in crime. This is backed up by Source A which says that Prohibition “created the greatest criminal boom in American history”. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Gangsters like Al Capone, turned Prohibition into an escalating violence and lawlessness in the USA. Illegal bars and stills were very common, and liquor was smuggled from Canada or manufactured illegally in America. In 1929-30, there were 130 gangland murders for which no-one was arrested. Hundreds of police officers were bribed by gangs, this pay being much higher than what they received from the Prohibition Commissioners. Sources I and J both back this up as they both show dishonesty and corruption taking place all along the government hierarchy.

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Source F is from a speech by John F. Kramer, the first Prohibition Commissioner, in 1920. His job was to enforce Prohibition. This source also starts off with an optimistic approach and hope that Prohibition will work. As Prohibition Commissioner, he has some power and influence, and demands that “The law will be obeyed”. He wants to make sure the law survives. “Where it is not obeyed, it will be enforced” “Liquor must not be manufactured. We shall see that it is not. Nor sold, nor given away”. Kramer is a supporter of Prohibition and has no doubts about it. ...

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