During the early 1900s, alcohol had a huge influence since many citizens of the United States consumed great amounts of the substance. A growing number of Anglo-American women argued the sale and consumption of alcohol was a household threat, while politicians viewed alcohol as a threat to the nation.
Since alcohol was perceived as a danger to American citizens, women activists and political figures were able to propose new laws that prohibited the consumption and sale of alcohol. The Prohibition Act, also known as the Volstead Act, and the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment were passed. Providing the government with a form of enforcement to stop alcohol manufacture and consumption.
Americans who were not in favor of alcohol believed that by passing the Prohibition Act it would have produced a stop to alcohol; however, it did the complete opposite.
The Volstead Act was a law that prohibited the manufacture and transportation of all intoxicating alcohol. Following the Volstead Act, on January 29, 1919 the 18th amendment was passed prohibiting the sales of alcohol in the United States. [1] Unlike the Eighteenth Amendment, the Volstead Act enforced punishments to those who violated the Act. Though the passing of the 18th Amendment and Prohibition Act was intended to create a better society, many Americans revolted against these laws and were not willing to follow the rules. American citizens broke the laws during Prohibition. Since American drinkers were upset that they were no longer able to consume alcohol, this led to the illegal consumption and transportation of alcohol.
“Prohibition did not stop drinking it simply pushed the consumption of booze underground.” [2] Due to the higher demand, of illegal networks, speakeasies and bootleggers were quickly created. Speakeasy clubs and bootlegging operations were highly famous during the Prohibition Era. Speakeasies were clubs that illegally supplied thirsty citizens who wanted alcohol. “One estimate says that for every bar that closed down, six speakeasies were opened.” [2] The areas that voted against liquor were highly affected by bootlegging. “Bootlegging span all around the country.” [2] Wealthy individuals even operated private bars/clubs, where they provided access to alcohol. They smuggled alcohol across state lines and the production of moonshine was created in private homes.
The illegal trade in liquor lead to great production and profit all over the United States to mobsters. Several Americans were involved in the networking of illegal transportation, which also led to the cause of corruption among authorities and politicians. Americans involvement in illegal networks provided them with great income. [3]
Jobs were also affected by the illegal transportation and consumption of alcohol. In order to obtain jobs, citizens had to pledge not to consume or transport the intoxicating liquor. If they were found breaking any of these rules, they would face federal punishment as well as unemployment. “The traffic of alcohol was only allowed for medicinal and mechanical purposes.” [4] Since alcohol was only allowed for medicinal purposes, several citizens took advantage of the alcohol supply. Through alcohol prescriptions, bootleggers were able to keep their illegal systems functioning.
The illegal manufacturing, transportation, and consumption of alcohol caused an increase in illness due to intoxication and consumption of dangerous materials used in production. Some illnesses were due to the unsanitary production of alcohol, yet some materials that were used for alcohol were toxic. They contained methanol a strong toxic acid that can lead to death. The dangerous materials used for the production were mainly used for moonshine. [5] Initially, the Prohibition Law was created to improve American society. However, the public's demand for alcohol created the illegal transportation and selling of liquor, which caused high crime rate, the deaths of many, and the overcrowding of prisons.
[1] Clive, W. J. “The National Gesture” American Social History Project, Accessed April 2,2013. (1926)
[2] Prohibition: Speakeasies, Loopholes And Politics. Last modified June 10, 2011. Accessed April 1, 2013. http://www.npr.org/2011/06/10/137077599/prohibition-speakeasies-loopholes-and-politics.
[3] Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Resolved-That Prohibition Cannot Be Enforced. Wisconsin, 1930.
[4] “Pledge of the Wis. Temp. Society.” Wisconsin Temperance Society Journal, no. 1 (1840)
[5] Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed., s.v. “Bootlegging”
Since alcohol was perceived as a danger to American citizens, women activists and political figures were able to propose new laws that prohibited the consumption and sale of alcohol. The Prohibition Act, also known as the Volstead Act, and the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment were passed. Providing the government with a form of enforcement to stop alcohol manufacture and consumption.
Americans who were not in favor of alcohol believed that by passing the Prohibition Act it would have produced a stop to alcohol; however, it did the complete opposite.
The Volstead Act was a law that prohibited the manufacture and transportation of all intoxicating alcohol. Following the Volstead Act, on January 29, 1919 the 18th amendment was passed prohibiting the sales of alcohol in the United States. [1] Unlike the Eighteenth Amendment, the Volstead Act enforced punishments to those who violated the Act. Though the passing of the 18th Amendment and Prohibition Act was intended to create a better society, many Americans revolted against these laws and were not willing to follow the rules. American citizens broke the laws during Prohibition. Since American drinkers were upset that they were no longer able to consume alcohol, this led to the illegal consumption and transportation of alcohol.
“Prohibition did not stop drinking it simply pushed the consumption of booze underground.” [2] Due to the higher demand, of illegal networks, speakeasies and bootleggers were quickly created. Speakeasy clubs and bootlegging operations were highly famous during the Prohibition Era. Speakeasies were clubs that illegally supplied thirsty citizens who wanted alcohol. “One estimate says that for every bar that closed down, six speakeasies were opened.” [2] The areas that voted against liquor were highly affected by bootlegging. “Bootlegging span all around the country.” [2] Wealthy individuals even operated private bars/clubs, where they provided access to alcohol. They smuggled alcohol across state lines and the production of moonshine was created in private homes.
The illegal trade in liquor lead to great production and profit all over the United States to mobsters. Several Americans were involved in the networking of illegal transportation, which also led to the cause of corruption among authorities and politicians. Americans involvement in illegal networks provided them with great income. [3]
Jobs were also affected by the illegal transportation and consumption of alcohol. In order to obtain jobs, citizens had to pledge not to consume or transport the intoxicating liquor. If they were found breaking any of these rules, they would face federal punishment as well as unemployment. “The traffic of alcohol was only allowed for medicinal and mechanical purposes.” [4] Since alcohol was only allowed for medicinal purposes, several citizens took advantage of the alcohol supply. Through alcohol prescriptions, bootleggers were able to keep their illegal systems functioning.
The illegal manufacturing, transportation, and consumption of alcohol caused an increase in illness due to intoxication and consumption of dangerous materials used in production. Some illnesses were due to the unsanitary production of alcohol, yet some materials that were used for alcohol were toxic. They contained methanol a strong toxic acid that can lead to death. The dangerous materials used for the production were mainly used for moonshine. [5] Initially, the Prohibition Law was created to improve American society. However, the public's demand for alcohol created the illegal transportation and selling of liquor, which caused high crime rate, the deaths of many, and the overcrowding of prisons.
[1] Clive, W. J. “The National Gesture” American Social History Project, Accessed April 2,2013. (1926)
[2] Prohibition: Speakeasies, Loopholes And Politics. Last modified June 10, 2011. Accessed April 1, 2013. http://www.npr.org/2011/06/10/137077599/prohibition-speakeasies-loopholes-and-politics.
[3] Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Resolved-That Prohibition Cannot Be Enforced. Wisconsin, 1930.
[4] “Pledge of the Wis. Temp. Society.” Wisconsin Temperance Society Journal, no. 1 (1840)
[5] Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed., s.v. “Bootlegging”