Oral Presentations - Guzman 202
The Enforcement of Prohibition in Osceola, Arkansas and Sausalito, California: A Comparative View
Location
Guzman 202
Start Date
4-24-2015 12:40 PM
End Date
4-24-2015 12:55 PM
Student Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor(s)
Alison Howard, M.A. and Sr Patricia Dougherty, O.P., Ph.D.
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Federal prohibition in the United States lasted from 1919 to 1933. During these fourteen years, crime ran wild in the form of bootlegging and rum-running. Enforcement of prohibition throughout the United States varied. For example, Sausalito, California largely ignored the law and did not devote any resources towards enforcing it, while Osceola, Arkansas devoted many resources and enforced prohibition. What factors influenced the enforcement of prohibition? Through a historical analysis of two cases this thesis examined the factors that influenced whether or not prohibition was enforced. The factors looked at included religion, family values and morals, cultural differences, social movements, and the economy. Using journal entries, newspaper accounts, government documents, primary sources, and secondary literature this thesis found that religion and family values and morals were the most influential factors in determining if the policy of prohibition was enforced. In addition to these factors, our government system of federalism also played an important role in the varied enforcement of prohibition.
The Enforcement of Prohibition in Osceola, Arkansas and Sausalito, California: A Comparative View
Guzman 202
Federal prohibition in the United States lasted from 1919 to 1933. During these fourteen years, crime ran wild in the form of bootlegging and rum-running. Enforcement of prohibition throughout the United States varied. For example, Sausalito, California largely ignored the law and did not devote any resources towards enforcing it, while Osceola, Arkansas devoted many resources and enforced prohibition. What factors influenced the enforcement of prohibition? Through a historical analysis of two cases this thesis examined the factors that influenced whether or not prohibition was enforced. The factors looked at included religion, family values and morals, cultural differences, social movements, and the economy. Using journal entries, newspaper accounts, government documents, primary sources, and secondary literature this thesis found that religion and family values and morals were the most influential factors in determining if the policy of prohibition was enforced. In addition to these factors, our government system of federalism also played an important role in the varied enforcement of prohibition.