The American Prohibition Era

Prohibition is a chapter in the history of the United States where the government implemented a nationwide ban on the consumption and sale of alcohol. Although it seems archaic and nonsensical now since most countries allow alcohol consumption, back then, for thirteen years it was considered illegal to buy, sell, and consume alcohol in the United States. A time of bootleggers and social 'Progressives' the Prohibition Era of the United Sates shocked the nation, revealing how important the need was for people to drink. It was a time for many to understand alcohol consumption and in retrospective, see what caused the activity to be outlawed in the first place.

The Prohibition Era of the United States lasted from 1920 to 1933. January 1, 1920 saw the start of national Prohibition that became effective via the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The driving force behind the national banning of alcohol was the effects alcoholism brought on society. Many that proposed prohibition saw alcoholism as a reason for increased family violence, addition, and political corruption. Therefore, during the late 19th century and early 20th century, pockets of areas in the United States began enforcing alcohol prohibition. Those that supported it saw the act as a victory for public health and ethics.

Nonetheless, what may have seemed like a huge victory for morality, turned into a dangerous means of advancing and increasing the power of street gangs. "By eliminating legitimate suppliers of a commodity in high public demand, the state created a monopoly for illegitimate entrepreneurs. It was Prohibition that converted small, localized gangs into large, powerful, and wealthy regional and even national organized criminal syndicates." (Hagan 32) Street gangs produced and sold bootleg liquor that would then turn huge profits as customers bought regardless of the laws in placed making it illegal. Although 'Progressives' saw victory in implementing Prohibition, after a few years, the fears that brought it into realization were soon exacerbated by the problem of bootlegging.

'Dry' crusaders represented the movement started by social Progressives and pietistic Protestants. The group that established roots for the cause and led to its national consideration was the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was one of the first organizations dedicated to social reform that used applied Christianity to set standards from which the country would eventually experience. Activities like woman's suffrage and missionary work marked the first part of the temperance organization with Prohibition signaling the major shift. Interest in Prohibition was then turned after 1900 into the Anti-Saloon League and that is when legislation began to shift in favor of a federal ban on alcohol sales and consumption.

As previously stated, those in support of the move did so because they believed alcohol contributed to the larger social problems of society. The members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), believed alcoholism was not a personal failing or weakness, but rather, a societal problem that could only be resolved through outlawing of the activity. Alcohol was not WCTU's first target. They began in 1885 promoting anti-tobacco articles that would continue all the way to the 1950's. If it were not for the support of the WCTU, historians and researchers believe the movement would not have gained the traction it needed to result in a national banning of alcohol. However, as with most laws, there were loopsholes.

Loopholes existed during the Prohibition Era that allowed for the personal consumption of alcohol and for less strict enforcement of Prohibition nationally.

However, a loophole in the law allowed families in most states to make 200 gallons of 'fruit juice' or wine for their own personal consumption. In addition, national prohibition was largely unenforceable. Bootlegging, organized crime, and smuggling supplied alcohol to those who wanted it. (Engs 263)

Because states and local counties were the ones that had to enforce prohibition, some states had stricter consequences for alcohol consumption and selling than others. For example, Arkansas at present day has 'dry' counties (35 of 75) where alcohol sales and consumption are illegal and has a statewide ban on alcohol sales on Sundays. However, places like NYC had active alcohol consumption and sales because of the power of the street gangs and the increase in organized crime. This was the main consequences of American Prohibition, the growing power of gangs and the increase in crime rates.

Prohibition lasted in the United States for more than 13 years. In that time, alcohol consumption dropped ten to twenty percent with the biggest drop experienced at the beginning of the Prohibition Era and then steadily changing to higher consumption rates towards the end. While many saw Prohibition as a bad move on the part of the American government, after Prohibition was repealed, it was later discovered that a higher rate of infant deaths came after the repeal, suggesting another negative effect of alcohol consumption. (Robertson)

Aside from the increase in power of gangs and organized crime in general, other consequences of Prohibition were the shutting down of numerous wineries. "Many wineries did not survive Prohibition. And the interruption in the development of wine production had nefarious effects that continue to be felt and that are reflected in recent legal battles among large and small wine producers, distributors, and state government regulators." (Robertson 23) Therefore. present-day wineries in the United States are less than they were a century before. The lasting impact of Prohibition not only was felt through wineries but also through some counties in certain states that maintained their stance on Prohibition to this day.

Still, the change in law presented historians and researchers today with a chance to look back at the country when it decided to take a moral stance against alcohol consumption. The movement behind national Prohibition demonstrated the power of religion and organizations in the United States and how these organizations could fuel drastic change within a few, short decades. The consequences of Prohibition are a remind that American citizens can have the power to promote change in the government if certain conditions are met.