Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

6572

Date

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Journalism & Strategic Media

Committee Chair

Hayden Joseph

Committee Member

Haught Matthew

Committee Member

Hrach Thomas

Abstract

At the dawn of national Prohibition, the movement had large support in national media; by repeal, the media was leading the charge against the Dry movement. This thesis posits that journalism of the age helped shape the narrative around the enactment of the 18th Amendment and was equally culpable in ultimately getting repeal passed. Study of many newspapers of the era reveal a shift in narrative over the course of the early 20th century, as Prohibition went from movement to reality to past in just over three decades. Variables like religious affiliation, views on suffrage, organized crime and even the dichotomy between urban and rural life could and did reshape narratives over the life of the temperance movement. Research remains to be done on the subject, but this finding offers a clear change in tone from the start of Prohibition and its repeal.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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