Prohibition and Crime:
On January of 1920 the American government banned the making, selling, and distribution of alcohol. Government hoped it would drop the crime and violence, yet instead it increased. Al Capone, Bonnie & Clyde, and John Dillinger were famously known for their involvement in illegally selling the beverage. This amendment caused an explosive growth in crime. ( more than double the amount of illegal bars since BEFORE the prohibition). Government set up the " Federal Prohibition Bureau" to police alcohol and further enforce the law. It was not very successful with only 5% of alcohol being confiscated. Gangs often fought over the black market making this time dangerous. Also, the quality of alcohol was extremely poor and many people fell ill and/or died. Alcohol poisoning rose by 400%. Ku Klux Klan: The Ku Klux Klan was founded in 1855 by ex- confederate soldiers and other southerners opposed to the life after civil war. They targeted blacks mainly, but also terrorized and focused on Catholics, Jews, and foreigners ( immigrants especially). They showed great patriotism for the country, but advocated white supremacy. They weren't particularly popular until the 1920's. Membership raised from 3 million to 8 million. A group that was known for speaking their mind, soon became extremely violent and were the terror to any targets. They would beat, rape, and even kill some people. Whippings, tar-and-feathering,violent attacks were common practices. For African Americans, they usually suffered from torture tactics, along with lynching. Lynching would primarily involve, the public hanging, of the victim after a horrible beating. This violence grew throughout the South, becoming more dangerous, and a more serious conflict that needed to be solved. Restricting Immigration: In 1917, the U.S. Congress enacted the first widely restrictive immigration law. This act was called the Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson-Reed Act). The distrust developed post World War I made it easier for Congress to pass this Act. Citizens, along with the government suffered from the Red Scare, making all Americans suspicious to if the immigrants already in the U.S would strike to retaliate after war.The act made it extremely difficult for immigrants to enter the U.S, limiting the amount of foreigners actually being in America.There was a literacy test that required immigrants over 16 years old to demonstrate basic reading comprehension in any language. This literacy test held off hundreds, if not, thousands of immigrants from coming to America. Though the literacy test was challenging, it was not enough to prevent other, more formal, immigrants from entering, so Congress sought a new way to restrict immigration in the 1920s. Government made it so that each year up to 350,000 new immigrants were allowed, leaving many immigrants outraged, and confused. |
Cited Work:
"American Experience: TV's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
"DIVISIONS." Ku Klux Klan, America in the 1920s, Primary Sources for Teachers, America in Class, National Humanities Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.
Nash, Tim. "Organized Crime in the 1920's and Prohibition." Organized Crime in the 1920's and Prohibition. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
Shmoop Editorial Team. "Immigration in The 1920s." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
"The Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson-Reed Act) - 1921–1936 - Milestones - Office of the Historian." The Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson-Reed Act) - 1921–1936 - Milestones - Office of the Historian. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
"American Experience: TV's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
"DIVISIONS." Ku Klux Klan, America in the 1920s, Primary Sources for Teachers, America in Class, National Humanities Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.
Nash, Tim. "Organized Crime in the 1920's and Prohibition." Organized Crime in the 1920's and Prohibition. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
Shmoop Editorial Team. "Immigration in The 1920s." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
"The Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson-Reed Act) - 1921–1936 - Milestones - Office of the Historian." The Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson-Reed Act) - 1921–1936 - Milestones - Office of the Historian. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.