THE PROHIBITION ERA: "The Noble Experiment"
How did specific groups of American society influence the beginning of the Prohibition Era?
In addition to American women, the most important groups of people that influenced
the beginning of National Prohibition were the political and religious activists, governmental figures, and immigrants.
Overview
The Prohibition Era officially began in 1920, a year after the 18th Amendment was passed (US Const, amend. XVIII). This came as a shock to many Americans, who believed that the anti-liquor movement would not be ratified within the time limit of seven years, as the 18th Amendment had to be ratified by at least 36 states. Within 13 months, however, the required number of states had approved prohibition. Only Connecticut and Rhode Island abstained from ratifying the amendment. During the Prohibition Era, people could not legally buy, make, or transport liquor. The only exceptions to this was using very little alcohol as medicine as prescribed by a doctor, or in religious Communion services.
The idea of National Prohibition began years before the 18th Amendment was enacted. Anti-liquor organizations like the Anti-Saloon League were already advocating prohibition and by 1913, over half of the people living in the United States were living "dry," or without alcohol. Near the end of 1913, five thousand supporters of National Prohibition marched from the White House to the Capitol and petitioned for a new amendment to the Constitution regarding prohibition as a national measure against alcohol. This movement was helped along by the first World War.
Prohibition began as a wartime measure and made alcohol illegal so that the grain could be used for the soldiers' food. By 1919, when the Volstead Act was about to instill prohibition nationally, 27 states had already formed prohibition laws. Prohibition during the war against Germany was particularly successful, as many of the breweries that sold liquor were owned by German immigrants to America and retained their German names. However, despite its initial support in the states, national prohibition did not last. Even in its first year of being in effect, Americans drank 25 million gallons of liquor, as calculated by the Internal Revenue Bureau. Mere years later, the treasury increased the amount of money that was used to enforce prohibition drastically, reaching $300 million per year. To the relief of many, the Prohibition Era was ended by the addition of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution in 1933 (US Const, amend. XXI).
The idea of National Prohibition began years before the 18th Amendment was enacted. Anti-liquor organizations like the Anti-Saloon League were already advocating prohibition and by 1913, over half of the people living in the United States were living "dry," or without alcohol. Near the end of 1913, five thousand supporters of National Prohibition marched from the White House to the Capitol and petitioned for a new amendment to the Constitution regarding prohibition as a national measure against alcohol. This movement was helped along by the first World War.
Prohibition began as a wartime measure and made alcohol illegal so that the grain could be used for the soldiers' food. By 1919, when the Volstead Act was about to instill prohibition nationally, 27 states had already formed prohibition laws. Prohibition during the war against Germany was particularly successful, as many of the breweries that sold liquor were owned by German immigrants to America and retained their German names. However, despite its initial support in the states, national prohibition did not last. Even in its first year of being in effect, Americans drank 25 million gallons of liquor, as calculated by the Internal Revenue Bureau. Mere years later, the treasury increased the amount of money that was used to enforce prohibition drastically, reaching $300 million per year. To the relief of many, the Prohibition Era was ended by the addition of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution in 1933 (US Const, amend. XXI).