Tension in the 1920s Essay Example for Free

Tension in the 1920s EssayDuring the 1920s, the United States saw many large changes make in the country, the largest of which, the ratification of the 18th Amendment and the start of prohibition, was the greatest source of tension during that time period. The 18th Amendment which made the production, transport, and sale of alcohol illegal, upset many people, but was really never enforced that strictly. Many people could comfort drink very easily and alcohol was never hard to regard.Although many people think it was a terrible mistake and the government was taking away a simple way for adults to get together and have fun, the government gave them a good bill of time to prepare. As stated in an article by Mark Moore of the New York Times, The amendment prohibited the commercial manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages it did not prohibit use, nor production for ones own consumption. Moreover, the provisions did not take effect until a year after passage -plenty of time for people to stockpile supplies.People could still produce alcohol for themselves which most already did and talks of prohibition had been going on for years with much support. The citizens of the United States should have taken that time to insert the alcohol they wanted and obtain the supplies needed to produce it. Once again, even though one could not sell alcohol or produce it, it was super easy to access, there were extremely large amounts of speakeasies in cities, people could go to Canada or Mexico, or just take a boat three miles unwrap into the ocean where the government had no power.Although prohibition did not have much of an effect on the consumption of alcohol, the crime rates rose quite readily and many saw organized crime begin in the country. Many gangs arose in large cities, but in only in Chicago could you find the most powerful gangster, Al Capone. He made millions off of the illegal consumption of alcohol, and although it caused a lot of chaos and disr uption, he was giving the people what they wanted.As said by Capone himself, All I do is to supply a public demand somebody had to throw some liquor on that thirst. wherefore not me? . The citizens of the United States yearned for alcohol and Capone gave them what they wanted, but they all suffered the consequences. With gangsters being as powerful as they were at the time, they could influence almost anyone, especially in fairness enforcement, the court system, and politics.The rate of homicides per 100,000 population was extremely large and the highest it had ever been. During the war, it was around six to seven, during prohibition it was around seven to ten. Although that may seem like a small number, more people were dying because of the want for alcohol. The 18th Amendment and beginning of prohibition dramatically altered the country in ways good and bad, which made it the greatest source of tension during the 1920s.