It's remembered as a glamorous era of bootleggers, bathtub gin, illicit speakeasies and Al Capone's whiskey-fueled empire. This extraordinary program journeys from the mining towns of Kansas to the rum-running island of St. Pierre to tell the real, unvarnished story of Prohibition. Take a fascinating look at the saloon-smashing Carrie Nation, the teetotaling tycoon Henry Ford, and lawyer-turned-bootlegger George Remus. Discover how Prohibition's first President, Warren Haring, served cocktails in the White House, and meet Al Capone's older brother-a successful enforcement agent in Nebraska. The Prohibition Era is a stirring trip through one of American history's most uninhibited times. It would be useful for classes on American History, Women's History, Economic History and American Culture. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

The Dry Crusade

At the stroke of midnight, on January 16, 1920, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution went into effect, making it illegal to manufacture, transport or sell alcohol anywhere in the United States. Many citizens celebrated with a drink.

• anesthetic
• badger
• chaos
• corruption
• elixir
• enclaves
• epitomize
• errant
• exodus
• exploits
• fanatic
• flouted
• idyllic
• illicit
• inequity
• pious
• reverberations
• sobriety
• temperance
• zealot

1. Prohibition is referred to as "the 13 years that changed American."How did it change America? How was America a different country before Prohibition than after it?

2. Alcohol has been part of the human experience for thousands of years. Why is it such an ingrained part of almost every society, modern and ancient? Why do humans have such a long history of alcohol use and abuse?

3. Kansas was settled shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. What was the role of religion in the settlement of Kansas, and how did it influence the people of Kansas?

4. Kansas is where temperance movements first took a strong root. Why were the people of Kansas so against the use of alcohol?

5. Women,who were not supposed to interfere in the public world of men, were an active part of the temperance crusades. What was their role in these crusades and how did they contribute to the eventual passage of prohibition?

6. How did the women who participated in these movements defy the gender conventions of their day? How did they remain within the proscribed boundaries for women?

7. Most men did their heavy drinking in neighborhood saloons. What was the political role of these saloons?

8. What is the difference between a "wet" state and a "dry" state?

9. The largest wave of immigration to the United States took place between the 1880s and 1924. Why were native born Americans so fearful of these immigrants and their cultures?

10. How was Prohibition a control mechanism for middle class ideals and benefit?

11. How was ethnic prejudice manipulated to promote Prohibition?

1. Create a broadside (poster) advertising a local meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. How would you promote this meeting and urge the public to attend?

2. Imagine that Carrie Nation came to your town. Write a newspaper article detailing the events of her stay and her actions, and the reactions of the people in your town.

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Air Dates

• August 02, 2000