06 Which of the following had more impact on American society in the 1920s: prohibition immigration?
Level
GCSE
Year Examined
2022
Topic
Britain
👑Complete Model Essay
06 Which of the following had more impact on American society in the 1920s: prohibition immigration?
Introduction
Briefly define the two factors: Prohibition (1920-1933), enacted through the 18th Amendment, outlawed the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol across the United States. Concurrently, restrictive immigration policies, primarily the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924, aimed to curtail the influx of immigrants, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe.
Present argument: While restrictive immigration policies undoubtedly fueled social tensions and discrimination, it was Prohibition that had a more immediate and pervasive impact on American society during the 1920s. Its effects were deeply woven into the fabric of daily life, altering social behaviors, fueling criminal activity, and sparking cultural clashes.
Body Paragraph 1: Prohibition's Reignition of the Criminal Underworld
Topic Sentence: Far from eradicating alcohol consumption, Prohibition inadvertently spawned a thriving black market controlled by organized crime, which exerted a corrosive influence on society.
Evidence:
The emergence of notorious gangsters like Al Capone, who amassed wealth and power through bootlegging (illegal alcohol production and distribution), became synonymous with the era.
Speakeasies, illicit establishments serving alcohol, proliferated across cities, becoming hubs for illegal activity and undermining law enforcement.
This widespread disregard for the law permeated society, fostering a "culture of disobedience" that challenged traditional values.
Body Paragraph 2: The Cultural Earthquake of Prohibition
Topic Sentence: Beyond its impact on crime, Prohibition triggered seismic shifts in social norms, challenging traditional gender roles and reshaping leisure and entertainment.
Evidence:
Speakeasies provided spaces for women to socialize openly, often defying conventional expectations of femininity. The image of the "flapper" - a young woman who embraced modern fashion and attitudes - became emblematic of the Roaring Twenties.
The clandestine nature of alcohol consumption fueled a culture of excitement and rebellion, particularly among the younger generation eager to break free from Victorian-era constraints.
However, this social upheaval also fueled hypocrisy and a disconnect between the law and social practices, contributing to a sense of disillusionment with authority.
Body Paragraph 3: Immigration Restriction: Sowing Seeds of Division
Topic Sentence: While less immediately transformative than Prohibition, restrictive immigration policies exacerbated social anxieties, deepened existing prejudices, and fostered an atmosphere of fear and suspicion.
Evidence:
The Red Scare, fueled by anxieties about communist and anarchist ideologies, targeted immigrants, contributing to a climate of fear and xenophobia.
The Emergency Quota Act and Immigration Act of 1924, driven by nativist sentiment, specifically limited immigration from Southern and Eastern European countries, reflecting a preference for "traditional" American identities rooted in Anglo-Saxon heritage.
While the economic impact of these policies was less pronounced than feared, they nevertheless heightened competition for jobs and housing, further straining social relations.
Conclusion
Reiterate argument: The Roaring Twenties were a time of profound social and cultural transformation in the United States. While restrictive immigration policies undoubtedly played a role in shaping the social landscape, it was Prohibition that acted as a catalyst for more immediate and widespread change. Its impact reverberated through the realms of crime, culture, and everyday life, leaving an enduring legacy on American society.
Synthesis: Both Prohibition and restrictive immigration policies reflected the anxieties and anxieties of a nation grappling with rapid modernization and social change. The clash between traditional values and emerging identities fueled by urbanization, industrialization, and immigration created a breeding ground for both social progress and social division, the ramifications of which continue to resonate in contemporary American society.
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Introduction
Briefly define the two factors: Prohibition (1920-1933), a nationwide ban on the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol, and restrictive immigration policies exemplified by the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924.
Present argument: While both prohibition and restrictive immigration had significant impacts on American society in the 1920s, the former exerted a more pervasive and transformative influence due to its effects on crime, social mores, and cultural clashes.
Body Paragraph 1: Prohibition's Widespread Impact
Topic Sentence: Prohibition's reach extended across social strata, profoundly altering daily life and contributing to widespread lawlessness.
Evidence:
Rise of organized crime: Al Capone, bootlegging, speakeasies, corruption of law enforcement.
Impact on average citizens: Increased disregard for the law, creation of a "culture of disobedience."
Transformation of social spaces: Speakeasies became central to social life, changing gender dynamics and social interactions.
Economic consequences: Loss of jobs in the alcohol industry, but also the rise of new, illicit markets.
Body Paragraph 2: Immigration Restriction and its Impacts
Topic Sentence: While restrictive immigration policies fueled societal anxieties and discrimination, their tangible impacts were less immediate and widespread compared to prohibition.
Evidence:
Red Scare and Palmer Raids: Fueled by fear of communism, but ultimately based on limited evidence and targeted specific immigrant groups.
Social and cultural tensions: Nativism, xenophobia, and discrimination against immigrants, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe.
Economic impact: Limited impact on the overall economy as immigrants continued to contribute to the workforce, albeit in a climate of increased competition and prejudice.
Body Paragraph 3: Long-Term Consequences
Topic Sentence: The impacts of both prohibition and restrictive immigration extended beyond the 1920s, shaping future social and political landscapes.
Evidence:
Prohibition: Contributed to the growth of organized crime, which persisted even after its repeal. Also, it sparked debates about individual liberty and the role of government that continue to resonate.
Immigration: Restrictive policies established a precedent for future immigration debates and contributed to the growth of ethnic enclaves in urban areas.
Conclusion
Reiterate argument: Prohibition's impact on American society during the 1920s was more profound than restrictive immigration policies. Its effects on crime, culture, and daily life were widespread and transformative.
Synthesis: Acknowledge the significance of both factors, highlighting how they intersected and contributed to the complex social and cultural shifts of the Roaring Twenties. Offer a nuanced perspective on their lasting legacies on American society.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
For example, prohibition had more impact because this affected every social group in society in some way. Furthermore, the impact of police corruption and organised crime was a real threat to the security of all citizens. Whereas, the fear generated by the ‘Red Scare’ and the imagined threat of communism posed by immigrants was unfounded and never materialised. There was never an attempted revolution. For example, one impact of prohibition was that gangsters such as Al Capone gained more influence in society. They were able to make millions of dollars by supplying smuggled alcohol because they bribed law enforcers to turn a blind eye to their activities. Organised crime also made them wealthy because they forced business owners to pay protection money to avoid having their shops vandalised. For example, immigration in the 1920s had an impact on society because it created fear and division. The immigrants that arrived from Central and Eastern Europe were suspected of bringing communist ideas. This led to a fear of a revolution happening in America and was known as a ‘Red Scare’. There was a lot of prejudice against immigrants and during the ‘Palmer Raids’, thousands of suspected communists were arrested but there was no evidence of any plans to launch terror attacks.