Explain why prohibition became law in the USA in 1919

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Prohibition Coursework

1. Explain why prohibition became law in the USA in 1919 (15 Marks)

Prohibition was introduced in 1919 and was due to many different reasons. This was not a new idea to the USA because the movement had already begun in 1830 when women opposed men drinking. Although the law against the sale and the transport action of alcohol in America was passed by congress in 1917, it did not come to effect until midnight of January 16, 1920.  Drink was prohibited during 1920-193. It was seen to be associated with violence and lawlessness. Mostly women were against alcohol because they wanted to keep the family together. Alcohol was seen to cause crime, ill health and poverty. In 1851, Maine was the first American state to ban alcohol. 13 other states then banned alcohol. These were mainly the east states. By 1914, half of Americas 48 states were already dry. It was voted by congress in 1917 that level on alcohol of beer should be cut and no longer be sold to army bases. They thought this could damage America’s army.

America banning alcohol was largely due to their intolerance as a country. America’s society had always shown intolerance towards blacks, immigrants and communists. America was also an isolationist and avoided entering World War 2. There were so many nationalities in their country that it was too hard to decide whose side they were on. America refused to join the League of Nations.

Some of the first states to become dry by 1914 were states which were mostly southern. These were often racist and banning alcohol was another form of them taking freedoms away from black people. They said “it was a way of keeping the Negro in his place.” Other reasons for prohibition were for example, religious reasons. Because the population of America included many Protestants who had come over from England over 100 years ago and they disapproved of alcohol very strongly. It was seen to be led to evil. Many people who got so drunk they couldn’t turn up for church on Sunday which set a bad example to children. This actually linked to family problems and alcohol, because it was mainly men who drunk alcohol at this time and they would spend all money on alcohol and so there was no money for families to spend more on main priorities such as food and clothing. Because of alcohol the children of the drunken parents were deprived.

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In 1873 the anti saloon league was formed. It was a group of people who moved from church to saloons and persuaded men not to drink in saloons. They saw alcohol as slavery. Because of this group many women felt the need to join these protests to and it was the women’s war against liquor. Dr Dioclesian Lewis was a preacher and was a strong believer in the evils of drink. It was he who in the 1860s initiated the practice of walking in to saloons leading groups of mostly women to pray for the souls of saloon keepers ...

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