Prohibition in the 1920’s
National History Day Process Paper
Catherine McGowan
Since the invention of alcohol itself, mankind has used it for refreshments, social events, and just a “relaxer” so to say. But on top of the positive side of alcohol, mankind has also found ways to abuse the substance…enough to make the subject of alcohol a controversial topic. I include myself in this controversial topic for the simple reason that I myself have experienced the negative effects of alcohol first-hand. I’ve had several cases in my family where alcohol has ruined, sabotaged, or even taken lives. This reason is the fuel to my wanting to pursue further research on the 18th Amendment (or Prohibition), and see what life was like back in the 1920’s where alcohol wasn’t legal.
Put aside the fact that I wanted to know more about the life without alcohol, the topic also reeled me in for the simple fact that the 18th Amendment was the only amendment in the constitution that was ever repealed. Therefore I wanted to find out the exact reasons why the amendment was repealed and the problems faced once the Amendment was ratified. But don’t forget about the bloody and gruesome stories of Al Capone that would be tied into the topic of Prohibition. Who doesn’t love a little action and violence in a project?
I began my research by generally getting background information on the topic through the internet. With the little knowledge I had, I took a trip to the Denver Public Library to receive additional information and hopefully locate some primary resources to support my project. Indeed my research paid off because there were plenty amounts of information I could access on my seemingly popular topic.
With the information and research in a bundle, I decided to create a website as the medium of my project because I find joy in creating digital projects, and it’s easy for a viewer to interact with the project more than any other medium in my opinion. Plus, with our world becoming more and more dependent on technology, what’s best then to create a website? I then fooled around with the great features on Weebly, and came to the realization that this project will become a stellar one. Adding in interesting primary photographs, it practically takes the viewer to the 1920’s.
With the website made, it’s best to say that my topic is well fitted for the NHD theme of debate. Prohibition in the 1920’s easily ties to the theme for the simple fact that the Women’s Christian Temperance Union were debating for the ratification of the 18th Amendment (making alcohol illegal) against those who were in favor of alcohol. Through the long process of ratification, the amendment was then repealed because the consequences of the ratification outweighed the positive aspects. This topic, in my opinion, is one of the greater debates in American history.
Catherine McGowan
Since the invention of alcohol itself, mankind has used it for refreshments, social events, and just a “relaxer” so to say. But on top of the positive side of alcohol, mankind has also found ways to abuse the substance…enough to make the subject of alcohol a controversial topic. I include myself in this controversial topic for the simple reason that I myself have experienced the negative effects of alcohol first-hand. I’ve had several cases in my family where alcohol has ruined, sabotaged, or even taken lives. This reason is the fuel to my wanting to pursue further research on the 18th Amendment (or Prohibition), and see what life was like back in the 1920’s where alcohol wasn’t legal.
Put aside the fact that I wanted to know more about the life without alcohol, the topic also reeled me in for the simple fact that the 18th Amendment was the only amendment in the constitution that was ever repealed. Therefore I wanted to find out the exact reasons why the amendment was repealed and the problems faced once the Amendment was ratified. But don’t forget about the bloody and gruesome stories of Al Capone that would be tied into the topic of Prohibition. Who doesn’t love a little action and violence in a project?
I began my research by generally getting background information on the topic through the internet. With the little knowledge I had, I took a trip to the Denver Public Library to receive additional information and hopefully locate some primary resources to support my project. Indeed my research paid off because there were plenty amounts of information I could access on my seemingly popular topic.
With the information and research in a bundle, I decided to create a website as the medium of my project because I find joy in creating digital projects, and it’s easy for a viewer to interact with the project more than any other medium in my opinion. Plus, with our world becoming more and more dependent on technology, what’s best then to create a website? I then fooled around with the great features on Weebly, and came to the realization that this project will become a stellar one. Adding in interesting primary photographs, it practically takes the viewer to the 1920’s.
With the website made, it’s best to say that my topic is well fitted for the NHD theme of debate. Prohibition in the 1920’s easily ties to the theme for the simple fact that the Women’s Christian Temperance Union were debating for the ratification of the 18th Amendment (making alcohol illegal) against those who were in favor of alcohol. Through the long process of ratification, the amendment was then repealed because the consequences of the ratification outweighed the positive aspects. This topic, in my opinion, is one of the greater debates in American history.
