Honorable Style in Dishonorable Times American Gangsters...

Beshears, Laura: Honorable Style in Dishonorable Times: American Gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s Journal of American Culture (33:3) [Sep 2010] , p.197-206. Honorable Style in Dishonorable Times: American Gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s Laura Beshears. The Journal of American Culture. Malden: Sep 2010. Vol. 33, Iss. 3; pg. 197, 10 pgs Abstract (Summary) Prohibition, which came into effect in July of 1920 with the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment, also illustrated the progressives idealism, as many believed that the elimination of alcohol, because it allegedly created poverty, marital distress, and negligence, would cleanse society (Mordden 141). [...] the birth of the radio and the movies as well as the development of flight†¦show more content†¦The release of one progressive text, Upton Sinclairs The Jungle, created such a powerful reaction that it resulted in the government creating the Meat Inspection Act (Goldberg 2). Prohibition, which came into effect in July of 1920 with the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment, also illustrated the progressives idealism, as many believed that the elimination of alcohol, because it allegedly created poverty, marital distress, and negligence, would cleanse society (Mordden 141). Moreover, the birth of the radio and the movies as well as the development of flight induced excitement a nd fostered a vision of a society engaged in perpetual technological advancement (Mordden 47). The automobile industry became an important economic force, and Henry Ford and his massproduced, assembly-line-constructed automobile resonated with this same positive sentiment (Mordden 49). Progressives felt so determined that even World War I failed to completely dampen their faith in societys ability to improve itself, as many felt confident that President Woodrow Wilson would see the wars end as a chance to deal with the range of domestic issues that progressives were fighting so hard to solve (Goldberg 40). Finally, Horatio Alger, Jr. and his late nineteenth-century books- portraits of men who, born underprivileged, rose to wealth and success through hard work, honesty, self-confidence, commitment, and a bit of luck (WeissShow MoreRelatedThe Rise And Fall Of Al Capone2250 Words   |  9 PagesFall of Al Capone Katharine Sexton California Baptist University Abstract In a time when the American Society for the Promotion of Temperance was trying to bring about change for the moral good of the country. Their intentions were taken advantage of and twisted into a multimillion dollar industry. That would give birth to one of the largest organized crime syndications, as well as to the rise of a man who for short time would control the largest organized crime syndications in the country, and his