Prohibition

Introduction

Prohibition was an initiative that lasted for about thirteen years in the United States. The purpose of Prohibition was to ban the manufacture of alcohol in order to reduce its consumption (Allen, pp. 03). Prohibition was for the better, but its effects were highly negative. Instead of being beneficial to the society, Prohibition resulted in more criminal activity. The Act that enforced the ban was called The National Act (1919). Another name for the Act is the Volstead Act; named for one of the main authors. The ban was lifted in 1933 and brought more of a positive response from the public.

How Prohibition Worked

Prohibition was part of The Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The purpose was to take away the license to do business from brewers, distillers, vintners, and the wholesale and retail sellers. The reason for initiating Prohibition was due to the alarming increase in alcohol consumption. This excessive consumption was leading to domestic violence and ill behavior in society. Women, especially, were being abused by men (Peck, pp. 01). Husbands would abuse their wives and children due to the intoxication. At the time, immigration from Europe was on the rise, and this coupled with excessive alcohol consumption to increase problems (Blocker, pp. 500).

The movement involved in Prohibition advocated the ban of alcohol manufacture, distribution, and sale. The League and Women's Christian Temperance Union were amongst the most aggressive supporters and participants of the movement. They had started enacting laws on a local level, which later went on to become a national effort (Blocker, pp. 05).

Due to Prohibition, the brewing industry became the most prosperous. Brewers began selling beer on a retail level and increased the number of saloons. Saloons were like bars, which sold beer and whiskey. These saloons increased to such a level that there was one for every 150 or 200 Americans. This includes those people who do not drink. This clearly shows that the brewing industry was booming during the time and sale of beer increased substantially. However, the profits were not as high, and saloonkeepers introduced activities like gambling. These activities increased foot fall into the saloons. Most people thought of saloons as offensive and bad places (Harvey and Carry, pp. 01).

The false belief underlying the Prohibition movement was that churches and other organizations would be able to convince people to give up drinking. The leaders were mistaken that removal of licenses would act as a way to persuade Americans. However, this was not the case, and the movement resulted in spread of more criminal activity. There was a boom in the liquor industry right after The Civil War. When the war ended, there was an increased consumption of alcohol. This posed a threat to the Prohibition movement.

National Prohibition Act of 1919

This act is also known as the Volstead Act and was adopted by Congress in 1919. The act emphasized the ban of alcohol ratified by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The supporters of the movement had put in ...