1920s – 1920s – Prohibition and Prohibition and the Speakeasythe Speakeasy

Prohibition: A period of time in Prohibition: A period of time in Canadian history where the Canadian history where the

production, sale, possession, and production, sale, possession, and consumption of alcohol was consumption of alcohol was

illegal.illegal.

Why Ban Alcohol?Why Ban Alcohol? Temperance groups (WCTU) pressured Temperance groups (WCTU) pressured

gov’ts to ban alcoholgov’ts to ban alcohol Alcohol was blamed for: Crime, child and Alcohol was blamed for: Crime, child and

wife abuse, other undesired behaviour…wife abuse, other undesired behaviour… And the fact that many men spent their And the fact that many men spent their

paycheques on alcohol and couldn’t afford paycheques on alcohol and couldn’t afford to support their family!to support their family!

The idea was to ban alcohol and use the The idea was to ban alcohol and use the saved grain to feed the troops.saved grain to feed the troops.

The “Speakeasy”The “Speakeasy” ““Speakeasy” is a word that refers to an Speakeasy” is a word that refers to an

illegal establishment used for selling and illegal establishment used for selling and drinking alcoholic beverages.drinking alcoholic beverages.

1920s Slang1920s Slang The term “speakeasy” comes from when a The term “speakeasy” comes from when a

bartender would tell a patron to be silent bartender would tell a patron to be silent and “speak easy”.and “speak easy”.

Very secretive…Very secretive… The establishment had no signs on the The establishment had no signs on the

door to indicate it was a bar. There was a door to indicate it was a bar. There was a back door so customers could sneak out back door so customers could sneak out when the police were called.when the police were called.

EntertainmentEntertainment In the bars there was food, live bands, and In the bars there was food, live bands, and

floor shows.floor shows.

Bribes and copsBribes and cops Police were bribed to leave the bar alone Police were bribed to leave the bar alone

or give an advance notice of any planned or give an advance notice of any planned raid.raid.

Organized CrimeOrganized Crime Criminals made millions from the sale of Criminals made millions from the sale of

alcohol, but the provinces lost MUCH alcohol, but the provinces lost MUCH needed tax money.needed tax money.

Available Available products…products…

You could buy “strong beer” for 25 cents, You could buy “strong beer” for 25 cents, or “stronger beer” for 50 cents!or “stronger beer” for 50 cents!

Slang: alcohol Slang: alcohol also known as also known as giggle watergiggle water..

Prohibition over!!Prohibition over!! Most provinces had ended prohibition by Most provinces had ended prohibition by

the mid 1920s.the mid 1920s. Not PEI though – it repealed prohibition in Not PEI though – it repealed prohibition in

1948!1948!