Prohibition Online Analysis Activity

Help students investigate one of the most debated reforms of the 1920s with this engaging digital Prohibition activity. Students explore the question “What Was the Impact of Prohibition?” as they examine how the 18th Amendment and Volstead Act changed American society, including alcohol use, enforcement, organized crime, public health, government power, culture, and repeal. Instead of memorizing that Prohibition “failed,” students test claims, weigh evidence, and build a more careful historical conclusion.

The activity is set up like a historical investigation. Students begin with a case briefing, then move through an evidence board with nine clue cards covering the law, reform goals, enforcement challenges, speakeasies, bootlegging, unsafe alcohol, courts and policing, culture clash, and the 21st Amendment. They rate the impact of Prohibition in different categories, analyze short primary source excerpts, and complete a final investigation report with a claim, evidence, reasoning, counterargument, and final nuance.

This works well as an independent digital assignment, partner activity, station rotation, sub plan, or assessment during a 1920s, Progressive Era, or U.S. History unit. Students can save their work, copy their final report, and print or save a PDF when finished. It is a clear, ready to use activity that builds primary source analysis, historical thinking, evidence based writing, and nuanced argument skills.