A Speakeasy in Providence, Rhode Island (1925)
Background:
The Eighteenth Amendment was passed and forbade the sale or manufacture of any type of alcoholic product. The country was greatly divided over this Amendment, as the northern and more urban areas strongly hated prohibition and opened many speakeasies, or places to meet and have bootlegged liquor. On the other hand, the south and more rural areas mostly advocated this new Amendment. However, many of those who favored this change in lifestyle were subject to verbal and physical threats from the public, and changed their views accordingly. A few years later the 21nd Amendment was passed by Congress, which repealed Prohibition.
Significance:
These groups who went to speakeasies and those who threatened the politicians showed that a small group can achieve anything with a little perseverance. This is an example of a political clash because a small party can exert significant influence on the government by assembling and speaking out.
The interior of a speakeasy in Providence, Rhode Island, 1925
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