Prohibition, Temperance, and the New Deal Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the Temperance Movement, Prohibition laws, bootlegging, organized crime, the Great Depression, and the New Deal.

Saloon

A popular bar, especially in cities prior to Prohibition.

Temperance Movement

A social movement against alcohol whose members wanted people to drink less, stop drinking, or completely ban alcohol.

Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

A women's organization founded in 1874 that campaigned against alcohol, supported social reform, and advocated for women's suffrage.

Anti-Saloon League (ASL)

An organization created in 1893 that used political pressure on politicians to support Prohibition and close saloons.

18th Amendment

A U.S. constitutional amendment ratified in 1919 that banned the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

Volstead Act

A law passed in 1919 designed to enforce the 18th Amendment using police, federal agents, raids, arrests, and alcohol confiscation.

Speakeasy

An illegal bar where people went secretly to drink alcohol during Prohibition.

Bootlegging

The illegal production, transportation, and sale of alcohol.

Al Capone

A famous gangster from Chicago who became rich and powerful through bootlegging and organized crime.

The Great Depression

An economic crisis that began in 1929 after the Wall Street Crash, causing widespread unemployment, poverty, and bank failures.

21st Amendment

A constitutional amendment ratified in 1933 that repealed the 18th Amendment and officially ended Prohibition.

The New Deal

A series of government programs initiated in 1933 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fight the Great Depression, reduce unemployment, and support the economy.

Suffrage

The right to vote.

Repeal

To officially cancel a law.

Tax revenue

Money received by the government from taxes.

Enforcement

The process of making sure a law is respected and followed.

Gangster

A member of a criminal organization.