Prohibition
Learn more about Prohibition and organised crime in the 1920s in this podcast.
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
What was Prohibition?
In 1919 the 18th Amendment was passed, prohibiting the ‘manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors or beverages [alcohol]’, starting ProhibitionThe banning of alcohol in the USA following the passing of the 18th amendment in 1920. It came after a long history of campaigning starting in the 19th century. Even before World War One, several states had already banned alcohol. Groups such as the WCTUThe Woman's Christian Temperance Union was an important campaigning group that advocated temperance. campaigned to make this a national ban. The impact of World War One was also critical as it became seen as patriotic not to drink. Support for Prohibition grew in CongressThe legislative body of the US government, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It became law in January 1920 through the National Prohibition Act, often known as the Volstead ActThe law passed to carry out Prohibition, as required by the 18th Amendment.
Why was Prohibition introduced?
| Cause | Explanation |
| Prohibition already existed | Prohibition had a long history in the USA at both local and state level. For example, the state of Maine turned ‘dry’ in 1851. |
| Temperance groups | Many campaigning groups pointed to the evils of alcohol and its associations with domestic violence, family neglect, and physical and mental illnesses. The members of the WCTU passionately argued in favour of protecting families by encouraging people not to drink. They were backed up by religious campaigners such as Billy Sunday. However, Prohibition achieved more success when another campaigning group, the Anti-Saloon League, turned its campaigns to banning alcohol rather than asking people not to drink. |
| National efficiency | Some business owners, such as Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie, supported Prohibition because they felt their workers would produce more if they didn’t drink. |
| World War One and patriotism | During World War One, grain was needed to produce food rather than alcoholic drinks. Additionally, as many brewers had German roots (eg Anheuser-Busch), abstaining from alcohol was seen as a contribution to the war effort. |
| Anti-immigrant feeling | Alcohol was part of the culture of many different immigrant communities. These included Eastern European, German, Irish, Italian people who had migrated to the USA. With many Americans suspicious of immigrants in this period, Prohibition was also partly an anti-immigrant campaign. |
| Cause | Prohibition already existed |
|---|---|
| Explanation | Prohibition had a long history in the USA at both local and state level. For example, the state of Maine turned ‘dry’ in 1851. |
| Cause | Temperance groups |
|---|---|
| Explanation | Many campaigning groups pointed to the evils of alcohol and its associations with domestic violence, family neglect, and physical and mental illnesses. The members of the WCTU passionately argued in favour of protecting families by encouraging people not to drink. They were backed up by religious campaigners such as Billy Sunday. However, Prohibition achieved more success when another campaigning group, the Anti-Saloon League, turned its campaigns to banning alcohol rather than asking people not to drink. |
| Cause | National efficiency |
|---|---|
| Explanation | Some business owners, such as Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie, supported Prohibition because they felt their workers would produce more if they didn’t drink. |
| Cause | World War One and patriotism |
|---|---|
| Explanation | During World War One, grain was needed to produce food rather than alcoholic drinks. Additionally, as many brewers had German roots (eg Anheuser-Busch), abstaining from alcohol was seen as a contribution to the war effort. |
| Cause | Anti-immigrant feeling |
|---|---|
| Explanation | Alcohol was part of the culture of many different immigrant communities. These included Eastern European, German, Irish, Italian people who had migrated to the USA. With many Americans suspicious of immigrants in this period, Prohibition was also partly an anti-immigrant campaign. |
