Norse-American Centennial

Prohibition

During the 1920s, the United States entered a time period known now as Prohibition, during which alcohol in most of its forms was illegal. As a result, many in America would become ‘bootleggers,’ where they would illegally produce, sell, or continue drinking alcohol in one form or another. Corruption was rampant as many government officials took bribes instead of choosing to enforce the 18th Amendment, which had made alcohol illegal. This continued until 1933, when the 21st Amendment returned the power to regulate alcohol to the states, as opposed to a federal law.

The Centennial, which happened during this time period, was most unaffected. However, the Centennial Committee did receive a letter from a local sheriff warning against the potential presence of alcohol at the event, and advising them to take action to prevent alcohol from becoming involved with the event. 

The Norwegian American Community and Prohibition

Shortly after the 18th Amendment was ratified, Congress passed the Volstead Act to provide for the federal enforcement of prohibition. The law was strongly supported by Minnesota Republican Andrew Volstead. Another important person involved in the temperance movement included newspaperman and author Waldemar Ager. Ager was a leader in the movement and helped formed total abstinence societies and Good Templar lodges across the upper Midwest. He is most famously associated with the newspaper Reform, a pro-prohibition and temperance newspaper. 



Sources to explore:
18th Amendment to the United States Constitution
21st Amendment to the United States Constitution
Marcus Hansen, Puritanism, and Scandinavian Immigrant Temperance Movements by Frederick Hale, Norwegian-American Studies, Vol. 27
Temperance Movement papers, 1841-1962 
Waldemar Ager papers, 1874-1943 ​​​​​​​

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