Why Canadian Prohibition Failed

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Canada experimented with banning alcohol during the early 20th century. The movement grew out of the earlier Temperance Movement, which steadily grew in popularity during the mind 19th century. There are four reasons why prohibition ultimately failed in Canada: (1) it was not really enforced; (2) it was not truly effective; (3) a shift in popular thought; (4) and loss of public support. (Idea of Provinces + order) In the end, the government would change its stance from one of illegality to control and regulation.

In order to truly understand Canadian prohibition the prior temperance movement must be examined. During the 19th century, alcohol was seen as a great evil (citation needed). This evil harmed the family unit and society. This was the view of the teetotalers who abstained from alcoholic beverages on a moral basis (citation needed). The teetotalers thought that their morals came from the Judeo-Christian God, and that curing society from the evil of alcohol was necessary for “Social Salvation.” (Citation needed)

One of the leading proponents of this philosophy was/were the millenarist (plural?). They believed that the closing stages of the world were unfolding. Thus, the Millernarts believed that their savior Jesus Christ comes back as predicted in Revelations. They thought that ridding the world of alcohol was necessary for their saviors return. They used the Temperance Movement as a means to achieve their ultimate goal—social salvation. The Temperance Movement was not just about abstaining from alcohol, but it was all about religion. In fact, the movement had a positive correlation with religion; which, meaning that when religious fever increases so does the popularity of temperance movement (Citation needed). In ess...

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...movement, a movement that has heavily tied with religion. Like elsewhere the movement also led to women gaining greater liberties. Women’s suffrage is the most important of these newfound liberties. The movement would eventually lead to the Canadian Temperance Act and eventually to provincial prohibition, but there the movement would ultimately be defeated. Though every province was a little bit different, both is their timeline and, sometimes, their reasons ultimately prohibition would fail. Corrupt offices, apathetic law enforcement, economic factors, and a shift in thought were all to blame for the failure of Canadian prohibition.

In conclusion, Canadian prohibition was a story of change. The people of Canada’s thoughts on alcohol were untimely changing. This was aided by other factos: dishonest bureaucrats, lethargic judicial officials, and economic downturn.

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