The Substantial Significance of Moonshine

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Although some people had the perception that moonshine was one of the most profound discoveries, moonshine which had a variety of pseudonyms such as “white lightning” and “hooch” (“1920s’ Prohibition”). Moonshine created an immense amount of hardship and melee in the underground alcohol business. The Volstead Act, which is another name for the National Prohibition Enforcement Act (which was made to reinforce the 18th amendment), had restricted the production, sale, transportation, importation and exportation of alcohol that wasn’t to their standards when it was passed on October 28, 1919 (“1920s’ Prohibiton”). The Volstead Act resulted in surreptitious and hazardous distilling sites, poorly produced and manufactured moonshine, and increased crime rates. Eventually on December 5, 1933, the government finally decided to repeal the act which caused a slew of issues and seemed to cause more distress among some of the head honchos of the alcohol business imparticularly, hotels which soon faced heavy competition also. Both the Prohibition and its repeal caused a disruption in profit for a large array of groups in the alcohol business.
After the Prohibition and the Volstead Act had taken place, the underground alcohol business sky-rocketed (which was not intended by enforcing this Act). The Act was enforced so that the government would be able to gross more capital from the alcohol business by taxing the distributors, producers, and manufactures and banning certain types of alcohol from getting sold. As a result, moonshiners were committed to keeping the alcohol business intact and free of government taxing and regulation so they soon started making stealthy foot steps towards making secret, low-key distilleries. Revenue agents had to co...

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...ad and had a chance for gold which helped greatly since the “Great Depression” had been taking its course. On the other hand, liquor merchants started to suffer quickly because even department stores were starting to sell liquor. Similar groups blamed high taxes, sale cuts, and heavy competition from tax-evading bootleggers for their loss of profit (Himsl).

Works Cited

1. "1920s' Prohibition: Moonshine, Bootleggers, and Speakeasies." 1920s' Prohibition: Moonshine, Bootleggers, and Speakeasies. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
2. "Moonshine--Prohibition." Moonshine--Prohibition. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.
3. "All You Need to Know about the Prohibition." About.com 20th Century History. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
4. "24." Moonshine History. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.
5. Himsl, Sharon M. 1920-1940: The Twentieth Century. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 2004. Print.

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