PROHIBITION: THE NOBLE EXPERIMENT
Directions: Please answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be complete with your
responses.
1. What did the 18th Amendment prohibit?
2. What did Congress pass to enforce the 18th Amendment?
3. Define the following terms:
a. Bathtub Gin
b. Rum Runners
c. Speakesies
d. Ohio Gang
4. Explain why the enforcement of the 18th Amendment proved so difficult. Give at least 3 reasons.
5. What was the penalty for manufacturing or selling liquor in 1929?
6. Describe Hoover’s Prohibition policy. What did the commission report reveal?
7. Who were Izzy and Moe? Describe some of their adventures. Why were they finally fired in 1925?
*see Mr. Roiko for this handout
8. Describe the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. What did this event prove about Prohibition?
9. Do you think that the “noble experiment” of prohibition did more harm than good? Describe the
arguments for and against Prohibition. Attempt to come up with at least three arguments for each side.
10. Culminating activity on Prohibition. Honors Classes – Write a persuasive essay on Prohibition. Do
you think it was more of a failure or success? See my Website for How To Write a Persuasive Essay.
Regular Classes – Write a closing argument on Prohibition either supporting or going against it.