Prohibition

• Prohibition - How + Why it was introduced

  1920 - 1933

  Prohibition Goal - reduce alcohol consumption and its associated social issues

  Religious influence - views alcohol as sinful and damaging to Christian life

  Sees alcohol as moral evil, particularly in urban areas where drinking was more present

  Economic + political factors - industrialised supported Prohibition as they believed it would increase worker productivity
• Temperance movement believed alcohol was responsible for domestic violence, poverty, crime, and decreased work productivity

  Volstead act - prohibited manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol
• Prohibition - Reality + Failure

  Increase in organised crime

  Bootleggers - illegal production, distribution and sale of alcohol ( Al Capone dominated illegal trade )

  Violence + Corruption - Turf Wars (St Valentines Day Massacre)

  Corrupt law enforcement and politicians were bribed, often due to low wages
• Prohibition - Reality + Failure

  Smuggling - Boarders (Canada + Mexico) made it easy for criminals to smuggle alcohol into America

  Lack of Public Support - Significant portion of Americans prepared to break the Law + consumed alcohol illegally

  Ineffective Enforcement - government struggled to finance enforcement as the lacked resources (not enough agents)
• Prohibition - Reality + Failure

  Loss of Tax revenue - Alcohol originally generated substantial tax revenues

  Unemployment - workers in breweries, bars and distilleries became unemployed