Worksheet1: Defining the Social Problem

Date: March 15, 2010 Group Members: R.Smith, N.Jones, G.Green, E.Lee

1. Are you starting the AHPPA by studying a particular public policy in American history? If yes, then answer both questions 1a, b and c.. If you are not starting with a policy, then you must be starting with an historical social problem. State it under 1b and answer 1c.

1a What public policy are you studying and when was it enacted?

The Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition of sale of Alcoholic beverages) of 1919

1b Write one or two sentences that state the nature of the social problem that led to the policy you mentioned in your answer for 1a.

Alcohol use and the number of saloons were increasing in the late 1900’s. Many women’s groups objected to drinking alcohol and to saloons which they viewed as offensive and immoral.

1c In what time period did your social problem occur?

Late 19^th and early 20th Centuries

2. List at least three undesirable social conditions that resulted from this problem:

1.Saloons often encouraged gambling and other vices

2. Drunkenness can result in fighting and other crimes

3.Increased alcohol use and saloons threatened to break up families

4. Increased alcohol use contributes to alcoholism and various health problems

3. Write a short phrase that summarizes the social problem and its time period

Increased alcohol usage from 1980—1919