In the 19th century, many of America's cities had designated legally protected areas of prostitution. The Mann Act was also used to close down all areas of suspected vice because of threats of white slavery. The Mann Act was passed in 1910 as a way to legislate morality by criminalizing transportation of women across state lines for immoral purposes, but it was vaguely worded and created a witch-hunting atmosphere that targeted not only traffickers but also voluntary prostitutes, men, women having affairs, and anyone who aided in providing transportation to someone for some perceived immoral purpose. This fear became a cultural narrative of moral panic, sensationally depicted in newspapers and films. The myth scapegoated immigrants and sexually active women and fed Americans' fears about female independence, women's waged work, and female sexuality. Ultimately it originated from cultural changes that occurred as a result of industrialization, immigration, urbanization, and increasing numbers of women workers. The Mann Act was inspired by a widespread 'white slavery hysteria'-a fear that young white women were being forced into prostitution at alarming rates. It was amended by Congress in 1978 and again in 1986 to limit its application to transport for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sexual acts.

In practice, its ambiguous language about 'immorality' resulted in it being used to criminalize even consensual sexual behavior between adults. It was one of several acts of protective legislation aimed at moral reform during the Progressive Era. Its primary stated intent was to address prostitution, immorality, and human trafficking, particularly where trafficking was for the purposes of prostitution. In its original form the act made it a felony to engage in interstate or foreign commerce transport of 'any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose'. It is named after Congressman James Robert Mann of Illinois. The White-Slave Traffic Act, also called the Mann Act, is a United States federal law, passed J(ch.

Newspaper clip 'Wanted 60,000 girls to take the place of 60,000 white slaves who will die this year'

Dake bible pdf free download