Prohibition, why was it introduced?

Question 1

Prohibition laws already existed in some states

Answer 1

• By 1917, 27 states already had prohibition laws, and 65% of the adult population were unable to drink legally
• The 1917 Lever Act had banned the use of grain in the production of alcoholic drinks
• in 1885, Seattle had passed a law forcing schools to teach students about the ‘evil’ effects of alcohol

Question 2

A range of Temperance groups campaigned for a prohibition act

Answer 2

• The first Temperance Society was founded in 1808 in NY
• The Anti-Saloon League was founded in 1893. It promised to bring the campaign for prohibition to ‘every spot in the United States’.
• In 1914, the ASL sent 50,000 speakers across America to campaign for prohibition laws.
  These groups encouraged reformed alcoholics to describe their experiences to dissuade others from drinking. One published a book entitles ‘Ten Nights in a Bar Room and what I saw There

Question 3

Those who feared immigration also campaigned for prohibition

Answer 3

• Irish and German immigrants drank, on average more than other Americans.
• Temperance groups claimed that forcing these groups not to drink would be the best way of ensuring that they assimilated into American society.
• Campaigns for prohibition were an attempt to ‘establish the victory of Protestant over Catholic’

Question 4

Prohibition had widespread support from women

Answer 4

• They saw alcohol as a means by which men oppressed them
• Scientists began to link excessive-alcohol consumption to ill-health – women feared that ill men would be unable to provide for their families
• The Women’s Christian Temperance Union had been founded in 1974

Question 5

Prohibition had support from big business

Answer 5

• They thought drunkenness led to danger in the work place
• The technological advancements of the 1920’s meant that many workers were operating complex machinery – they were a danger to themselves and others if drunk
• Henry Ford had always insisted that his workers did not drink, and employed secret police to spy on them

Question 6

WW1 created support for Prohibition

Answer 6

• Grain was needed for food – the Lever Act was a response to this need
• Many of the largest brewers – for example, Ruppert and Lieber – were German. Anti-German feeling encouraged people not to buy alcohol.
• It was felt that alcohol led young soldiers into temptation

Question 7

Key dates for prohibition

Answer 7

1919 - Eighteenth Amendment prohibition introduced, banned the sale, transportation and manufacture of alcohol within the U.S.
1920 - Volstead Act - prohibition enforced
1933 - Twenty First Amendment, prohibition abolished