This engaging, fully resourced lesson explores the social, economic, and political reasons behind the introduction of Prohibition in the United States in 1919. Students investigate how powerful individuals and groups—such as industrialist Henry Ford, the Anti-Saloon League, women’s temperance reformers, and “dry” politicians—helped drive the movement to ban alcohol. Through analysis of sources and activities, students develop a deeper understanding of early 20th-century American reform, morality, and social change.
Designed for high school U.S. History classes (Grades 9–12), this lesson aligns well with topics on the Progressive Era, the Roaring Twenties, or Reform Movements in America. It’s flexible enough to use for both general and advanced classes and can be easily adapted for middle school U.S. History courses.
When you download this resource, you’ll receive a PowerPoint presentation and a student worksheet, both provided in Microsoft Office format for easy editing and in PDF for quick classroom use.
The PowerPoint includes a keyword snowballing starter, clear and accessible content slides, and a “thinking skills” review triangle that prompts small-group discussion on why Prohibition was introduced. It also features source analysis activities built around authentic temperance-era materials, including Anti-Saloon League and Women’s Christian Temperance Union posters and leaflets. To help students make modern connections, an additional starter activity encourages discussion of today’s laws around underage drinking compared with attitudes in the early 1900s.
The accompanying worksheet mirrors the PowerPoint structure and includes extra comprehension and analytical questions that can be used independently or for homework.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to explain what Prohibition was, understand why different groups supported it, and evaluate the broader causes behind its introduction. The activities promote key historical thinking skills, including cause and effect, economic reasoning, and supported argument writing.
Engaging, adaptable, and classroom-tested, this lesson provides a rich introduction to one of America’s most ambitious—and controversial—social experiments.
Lesson Objectives:
Know: What was Prohibition?
Understand: Why did certain groups support it?
Evaluate: Why did the U.S. introduce Prohibition?
Skills: Cause and consequence, economic understanding, and historical analysis
Key Questions:
Why were so many Americans opposed to alcohol?
Why did the government decide to introduce Prohibition?
Which factor was most important in leading to the 18th Amendment?
If you enjoyed this resource, explore more history lessons in The History Academy TES shop, or follow The History Academy on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook for new resources, updates, and teaching ideas.
Roy — The History Academy
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USA in the 1920s
The bundle of outstanding resources includes everything that I have uploaded on the USA in the 1920s. They are suitable for a range of abilities from aged 14 to 18. Each resources comes with it's own description of how I would use it as well as aims and objectives. If you click on the resource you can download a preview as well as read the relevant information. By buying these resource buddle, you will be making a significant saving as some of the attached resources have already been buddled together and discounted. If you like these resources then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow 'The History Academy' on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates. Kind Regards Roy
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The Great Experiment: Prohibition (Grades 9–12 U.S. History)
Bring the Roaring Twenties to life with this exciting and fully resourced series of lessons exploring the dramatic story of Prohibition in the United States — from its idealistic beginnings to its chaotic downfall. This three-lesson bundle takes students on a chronological journey through one of America’s most fascinating social experiments: Lesson 1 – Why Was Prohibition Introduced? Students investigate the powerful social, political, and religious movements that pushed for a nationwide alcohol ban, including the roles of the Anti-Saloon League, women’s reform groups, and industrialists like Henry Ford. Lesson 2 – The Impact of Prohibition Learners examine how the “noble experiment” transformed American life, from secret speakeasies and moonshine stills to the rise of organised crime and corruption within law enforcement. Lesson 3 – Why Prohibition Failed? Students uncover how bootleggers, gangsters such as Al Capone, and changing public attitudes brought about the collapse of Prohibition by 1933. Each lesson includes a detailed PowerPoint presentation and an accompanying student worksheet, with everything you need to teach straight away. All resources are provided in Microsoft Office and PDF formats, making them fully editable and ready to print. The PowerPoints feature: Clear aims and differentiated learning objectives Engaging starter, mini-plenary, and plenary activities Source analysis and thinking skills tasks Exam-style questions from Oxford and Cambridge past papers, complete with model answers and mark schemes Designed for core and foundation students studying Grades 9–12 U.S. History classes. Whether you’re introducing students to the temperance movement or helping them analyse why Prohibition collapsed, this bundle provides an engaging, flexible, and classroom-tested way to explore how America’s attempt to go “dry” changed the nation forever. Themes covered: The Temperance Movement and 18th Amendment Women’s activism and moral reform Speakeasies, bootlegging, and organised crime Law enforcement and corruption Why Prohibition failed? Al - Capone - Businessman or Gangster? If you enjoy this resource, check out other 1920s America lessons in The History Academy TES shop, or follow The History Academy on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook for updates, ideas, and new materials. Roy — The History Academy
$15.00
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