Reason for Prohibition in 1919

Reason for Prohibition in 1919

Prohibition is defined in the dictionary as, 'the legal ban on the

manufacture and sale of alcohol.'

When prohibition was introduced this was what it was seen as being,

but there was so much more behind it. Prohibition was introduced in

1919; it was believed that an alcohol free country would be a greater

one as a whole. Over the previous few years the First World War had

been fought in Europe and America had been helping to supply weapons

to its allies. When it did this, millions of jobs were created and so

much of the unemployed started to make money. By the time that the war

was over America was by far the richest country in the world.

When more people had more money it increased their spending on goods

and this is what eventually started prohibition. To begin with, it all

seemed to work because many people had better income to support their

family but immediately it became clear that the money was not going

where it should have been. There was a large increase in spending of

money on alcohol and this was always going to have a bad effect on the

country.

It meant that families basic needs were being neglected while the

fathers drunk in the bars. Crime was on the increase as drunken men

staggered about causing damage and stirring trouble and in most

people's eyes something had to be done hence prohibition.

There were a few main instigators towards the start of prohibition,

for example the, 'Woman's Christian Temperance Union,' joined with

the, 'Anti Saloon League,' and they argued against bars and saloons.

The women argued that the money which should be spent on essentials

such as food and bills, not on a few beers. Families in America were

starving in this prosperous country supposed to be in its prime

because of alcohol. This was also the angle of the Anti Saloon League;

they felt that bars and saloons needed to be banned to improve family

values.