Media by the Decade

Synopsis

For my J 387 Media by the Decade project, I chose to analyze the propaganda used by the Anti-Saloon League during the Prohibition Era. I wanted to do this because I have always been interested in the gangsters and rumrunners of the 1920s such as Al Capone. It has always fascinated me how people risked their lives to buy and sell alcohol when it can be purchased today at any store or supermarket. I have often wondered what it would be like if such an act as prohibition was to be passed by Congress again. I suppose it is one of the many freedoms that we cannot take for granted.

Originally I chose the decade from 1920 to 1930, however after researching the Anti-Saloon League I have found the materials to be used mostly during 1910 to 1920. This media is significant to the history of the United States because the Prohibition Act lead to organized crime and other illegal activities committed by Americans. It also did not improve the economy and studies have shown that alcohol consumption actually increased during the 13 “dry” years.

By researching the propaganda of the Anti-Saloon League, I have realized how such materials influenced people to vote for prohibition. The advertisements, books, cartoons and other items emphasized the negative effects of alcohol and the alcohol industry itself. For example, one political cartoon demonstrated how breweries did nothing to support the American soldiers in WWI. Another showed how town drunks did not contribute much to society and that families should be concerned for their children.

Vote Dry for Us poster.

While working on this project I also discovered how important women were in pushing for the Prohibition Act and trying to later repeal it. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was one of the forces behind the Temperance Movement and push for prohibition. They influenced many people to support their cause. It is was interesting to me learn how it was the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform that lead the campaign for the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment (alongside the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment).

Conclusion

My final thought at the end of this project was that propaganda works. The Anti-Saloon League, whether prohibition was right or wrong, was able to influence people to vote for it through the use of simple posters, cartoons, magazines and pamphlets. It is a powerful method of persuasion and can change the direction of history. Of course, prohibition brought an era full of crime, economic downfall, and an increase in alcohol consumption. The United States was facing a difficult time as it transitioned into a more progressive state. Women were gaining more freedom, religious beliefs were becoming separated from political ideals, and new technologies were speeding up industry. I believe prohibition opened many American’s eyes and allowed women, such as the members of The Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform, to practice a greater deal of free speech.