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 Roaring Twenties

As the 1920s dawned, temperance leaders celebrated the birth of an alcohol-free nation. But for the rest of America, Prohibition meant the beginning of the world's most exuberant cocktail party. From coast to coast, Americans toasted newfound prosperity in raucous speakeasies. Breaking the law became glamorous, and bootleggers became millionaires. Lawyer George Remus, the inspiration for F. Scott's Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, made $40 million running an underground bottling plant. Bill McCoy, the most revered rum-runner of the era, became a national hero as a smuggler of the finest wines and spirits from Europe.

• coterie
• decadence
• doggedly
• ingenious
• lavish
• obscured
• opulence
• parasite
• patronize
• rife
• squalid
• vied
• violate
• vulnerable

1. The Volstead Act became Prohibition in 1920. How did the ambiguous wording of the act create loopholes that left people free to drink alcohol?

2. Many people who broke the law during Prohibition were people who were generally law abiding citizens. How did Prohibition encourage some people to break the law? What does this say about the law?

3. New York State turned the enforcement of Prohibition Law over to the Federal enforcement agencies. Why did New York State do this?

4. Compare and contrast the attempts to control alcohol consumption in the U. S. during Prohibition to attempts made today to control illegal drug use.

5. What is the origin of the saying "the real McCoy?"

6. Political and government corruption during Prohibition reached as high as the White House. Why was there so much corruption during this period?

7. What is the irony of Prohibition?

8. The Roaring Twenties was one of the most prosperous eras in American history. How did this prosperity encourage the violation of Prohibition?

1. Create a front-page newspaper story announcing and explaining the passage of the Volstead Act and Prohibition.

2. Songs and music are often a reflection of the historical events a culture is experiencing. Write new lyrics to your favorite tune that reflect Prohibition and the Roaring Twenties.

Related Videos

Air Dates

• August 03, 2000