Prohibition

The American Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, religion and the press. In 1920, a new law (the Eighteenth Amendment) was added to the Constitution. This law said that Americans did not have the freedom to drink. With a new law, there are often new crimes. Liquor stores, bars and restaurants didn’t sell alcohol. But some people wanted to drink. They drank in secret, illegal places. When they ordered drinks, they spoke softly. That’s why such a place was called «speakeasy».

It was illegal to make alcohol. Liquor companies were closed. But people made alcohol secretly, at night. This illegal alcohol was called «moonshine». It was also illegal to sell or carry alcohol. When people sold alcohol, they carried the bottles in the leg of their boot. This crime was called «bootlegging».

The time when it was illegal to drink, to make or to sell alcohol was called Prohibition. During Prohibition, gangsters controlled the liquor business. They organized the production of «moonshine» and sold it in their «speakeasies». It was a big business. «Bootlegging» got a new meaning. Gangsters transported liquor in cars, trucks and ships.

Prohibition didn’t stop people from drinking. But it added new crimes to American life. In 1933, Prohibition ended. A new law was added to the Constitution (the twenty first Amendment). It cancelled the 18-th Amendment. This gave Americans the «freedom» to drink.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Who controlled the liquor business during Prohibition?

2. Where did people go to drink during Prohibition?

3. How did people order drinks during Prohibition?

4. How was illegal liquor called during Prohibition?

5. How long did Prohibition last in the US?

6. Prohibition was very successful, wasn’t it?

III. Translate the text.

IV. Grammar tasks.

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