“America had been awash in drink almost from the start – wading hip-deep in it, swimming in it, and at various times in its history nearly drowning in it.” 1 This quote proves to be correct, embodying American history beginning with the earliest American settlers to the present day. Keeping this fact in mind, how did the Temperance Movement gain enough strength to legally ban the manufacturing, selling, and transportation of alcohol in 1920? Through the determination and stamina of a multitude of factions throughout America from the early to mid 19th century, into the Progressive Era, federal legislation in the form of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America was passed. Beginning in the mid-1800s and coming to a climax in 1920, the issue of prohibition gained enough support to become a federal law due to the social and political climate throughout the nation during this period. In 1630, renowned Puritan founder of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop arrived in Boston harbor on his ship the Arbella. This ship contained 10,000 gallons of wine and three times as much beer as water.2 This was completely normal for this time period and also correctly reflected the American society for the next several centuries. The popularity of liquor throughout the nation was one that could not be easily curbed. By the 1820s, liquor was easier to come by and more affordable than tea.3 As the popularity of liquor and the number of saloons grew, alcohol seemed to be a force that could not be reckoned with, but in 1826, the beginnings of an organized temperance effort in the U.S. became known. The American Temperance Society was founded, starting with church based groups and slowly spreading ... ... middle of paper ... ... Lerner, Michael. Dry Manhattan :Prohibition in New York City . Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2007. Lewis, Michael. "Access to Saloons, Wet Voter Turnout, and Statewide Prohibition Referenda, 1907-1919." Social Science History 32, no. 3 (2008): 373-404. (accessed October 13, 2014). Okrent, Daniel . Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. New York: Scribner, 2010. Parsons, Elaine Frantz. "Temperance and Prohibition/Alcohol, Temperance, and Prohibition." Journal of American History 94, no. 3 (2007): 1046-1048. (accessed October 26, 2014). Szymanski, Ann. Pathways to prohibition: radicals, moderates, and social movement outcomes. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2003. Webb, Holland . "Temperance Movements and Prohibition." International Social Science Review 74, no. 1/2 (1999): 61-70. (accessed October 26, 2014).
“Last Call,” provides the answers and explanations to these two questions and the historical viewpoint on the Prohibition Era. Daniel Okrent, who has authored four other books and is the first public editor of The New York Times, views Prohibition as one clash in a larger war waged by small-town white Protestants who felt overwhelmed by the forces of change that were sweeping their nation. He explains that this is a theory that was first proposed by the historian Richard Hofstadter more than five decades ago. Though many books and historical accounts have been written about Prohibition since then, Okrent offers an original account, which shows how its advocates combined the nativist fears of many Americans with legitimate concerns about the...
What were the unintended consequences of alcohol prohibition in the United States in the 1920’s? In this investigation, the focus will be on the time frame 1920 to 1933, from when the 18th amendment was passed to when alcohol prohibition was repealed. The pros and cons of national prohibition of alcohol in the aspects of health, financial, and social results will be weighed. This will be done through the interpretation of statistics from before and after prohibition, insights of those who lived through the time period, and apparent reasons for the repeal of the amendment. The main type of source used was secondary source journal articles authored by scholars concerning the outcome of prohibition.
Okrent, Daniel. Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. New York: Scribner, 2010. Print.
In 1920, a leading Prohibitionist declared in Congress that “There is as much chance of repealing the Eighteenth Amendment as there is for a hummingbird to fly to the planet Mars with the Washington Monument tied to its tail.” 13 years later, after the outbreak of the Great Depression this is exactly what happened? However, the main reason lies not with the Depression itself; this was merely the catalyst for its repeal. The simple fact the prohibition did not achieve its aims was the main cause of the passing of the Twenty-first Amendment, bringing about other factors which pushed the anti-Prohibition movement forwards.
Aaron, Paul and Musto, David, Temperance and Prohibition in America: A Historical Overview. In: Moore, Mark H., and Gerstain, Dean R. (eds) Alcohol and Public Policy: Beyond the Shadow of Prohibition. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1981. Pp 127-181.
"Temperance & Prohibition." Table of Contents | Temperance & Prohibition. Ohio State University, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
It was apparent that Prohibition didn’t achieve its goals, instead, it added to the existing economic and social problems, as well as creating new problems that would be prominent in today’s society. Organized crime grew into an empire, disrespect for the law grew, the per capita consumption of alcohol increased dramatically, city officials fell to gangsters, and the government lost money. It is obvious that prohibition was a miserable failure from all points of view. Reasonable measures were not taken to enforce the laws, so they were practically ignored.
The desire to control alcohol consumption, or advocate temperance, has been a goal of humanity throughout countless periods of history. Many countries have had organized temperance movements, including Australia, Canada, Britain, Denmark, Poland, and of course, the United States. The American temperance movement was the most widespread reform movement of the 19th century, culminating in laws that completely banned the sale of all alcoholic beverages. The movement progressed from its humble local roots to nationwide organizations with millions of members and large amounts of political power. The growth of the temperance movement resulted from the changes in society between the original American settlers and the post-Revolutionary War citizens. The Revolutionary War is the catalyst for the movement, and the new society that emerges out of it is the cause of the development of the American temperance movement.
The beginning of the 19th century marked the ongoing social debate of the ban of alcohol and alcohol consumption. The period following the American Revolution led to many Americans drinking alcohol to excess. However, the Temperance Movement was created to solve this growing problem. Led by a group of Christian women, the movement was created to moderate mens’ drinking habitats thus protecting domestic home life. But by the 1820s the movement started to advocate for the total abstinence of all alcohol; that is to urge people to stop drinking completely. The movement was also influential in passing laws that prohibited the sale of liquor in several states.
Okrent, Daniel. "Prohibition Life: Politics, Loopholes And Bathtub Gin." NPR. NPR, 2010. Web. Feb. 2014.
"The Prohibition Era." The Prohibition Era. Historic Patterson, 22 Mar. 2013. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
After the American Revolution, drinking was on the rise. To combat this, a number of societies were organized as part of a new Temperance movement which attempted to dissuade people from becoming intoxicated. At first, these organizations pushed moderation, but after several decades, the movement's focus changed to complete prohibition of alcohol consumption. (Brayton)
Okrent, Daniel. Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. New York: Scribner, (2010) : 255.
Prohibition not only failed in its promise to curb the social problem created by alcohol. It actually promoted s...
The Prohibition was started in the 1920s when the 18th Amendment was ratified. This leads to many disruptions in America. The 18th Amendment caused many people to become upset with the government. The 18th Amendment was the prohibition of alcohol but was this Prohibition really good for this country? This research paper will tell the positives and negatives of the Prohibition and the overall effect on the country. There are many arguments to both oppositions. This paper will be focusing more on the negative points of the argument. The Prohibition was put into effect on January 16 1920. There was very few people that supported The Prohibition. US leader and temperance movement groups supported it. Many People opposed the Prohibition including, the average citizen, teenagers, and the mafia.