US.37 Explain the background of the Temperance Movement, the passage of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution and the Volstead Act, the impact of Prohibition on American society, and its successes and failures, including the rise of organized crime, bootlegging and speakeasies, and repeal by the 21st Amendment.
What Caused Prohibition?
In the early 1900's there had been a religious revival and a surge in "temperance" organizations in the United States. Members of temperance groups such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League began advocating for the outlawing of the sale and manufacture of alcohol. Supporters of the prohibition movement claimed that alcohol was a major cause of corruption in society and that "saloon behavior" led to immoral acts by many husbands and fathers. Many factory owners were supporters of prohibition, as they believed workers would become more responsible and work more efficiently if not suffering from the effects of alcohol.
When the U.S. entered World War One in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson enacted what was to be a temporary prohibition of manufacture and sale of alcohol. This was in order to save grains usually used to produce alcoholic drinks to produce food for the war effort. During this time, the number of "dry" congressmen outnumbered the "wet" (people that supported prohibition were known as "dry", those that were against were "wet") and they introduced legislation to outlaw the manufacture and sale of alcohol in the form of the 18th Amendment. President Wilson was not a supporter of Prohibition however, believing that it was a personal issue that should not be federally enforced and actually vetoed the Volstead Act (the "teeth" to enforce the 18th Amendment). However, Congress passed the 18th Amendment which was ratified on Jan 29, 1919. After that, Wilson defended its enforcement as it was the law of the land.
When the U.S. entered World War One in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson enacted what was to be a temporary prohibition of manufacture and sale of alcohol. This was in order to save grains usually used to produce alcoholic drinks to produce food for the war effort. During this time, the number of "dry" congressmen outnumbered the "wet" (people that supported prohibition were known as "dry", those that were against were "wet") and they introduced legislation to outlaw the manufacture and sale of alcohol in the form of the 18th Amendment. President Wilson was not a supporter of Prohibition however, believing that it was a personal issue that should not be federally enforced and actually vetoed the Volstead Act (the "teeth" to enforce the 18th Amendment). However, Congress passed the 18th Amendment which was ratified on Jan 29, 1919. After that, Wilson defended its enforcement as it was the law of the land.
Prohibition in a Nutshell...
Watch the video on Prohibition below and answer the Guided Viewing Questions for Task #2 on your lesson worksheet.
Prohibition & Organized Crime
During Prohibition there were still many Americans that wished to partake in drinking. Because of this demand, there were those who would supply alcohol illegally to those who could afford to purchase it. Crime bosses such as Al Capone thrived on bootlegging and illegal liquor sales, as well as racketeering (running illegal activities such as prostitution, gambling) and running "speakeasies" (underground clubs/bars). To enhance your learning on this topic, watch the videos below.
Al Capone |
The Wabasha St. Caves |
Prohibition & NASCAR
Wrapping it up...
The Prohibition era, or "Noble Experiment" had good intentions. However it brought with it bad economics, bad behavior, and an increase in crime rates. Americans as a whole were too divided on the issue as well. The 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act which enforced it were passed in 1919. Many law-abiding citizens turned against the new law, supporting illegal bootlegging operations, and organized crime in the process. After over a decade of Prohibition, American sentiment had turned against it and in 1933 the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th and Prohibition ended.