Was Pohibition bound to fail Question A

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Was Prohibition Bound to fail?

a) Sources “a” and “b” are extracts from 1970's history books, discussing prohibition in the USA in the 1910-20 period. Both extracts agree on the causes of prohibition but develop different points in detail.

Firstly, “a” and “b” both agree that the influence of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (the anti-saloon league) was strongly linked to prohibition. They were a pressure group that intended to make every state in the country “dry” (alcohol-free) by getting the government to introduce prohibition. Source “a” cites the “influence of the anti-saloon league” as a reason for prohibition and “b”, concurring with this, states that the cause was aided when the “Women’s Christian Temperance Union...joined the crusade”. Source 'a' and 'b' agree that the anti-saloon league were actively involved in the prohibition coming into place.  But 'a' goes in further and explains how the absence of men may have been a reason as to why the woman’s Christian Temperance union was influential in the campaign 'a' states: 'at a time when a large number of men were absent in the armed forces'.  This makes the suggestion the league would have not been as effective with more men to stand up against their 'crusade' and they wouldn't have gained the support, and influenced prohibition, with men present.

World was one was being fought at the time prohibition was occurring and being considered.  Food was needed on the front line therefore as much grain as possible needed to be saved, the production of alcohol should come to a halt in order to be used for the provisions on the frontline.  Sources 'a' and 'b' both agree that this is one of the reasons for prohibition 'a' states 'wartime concern for preserving food' source 'b' says 'ban the use of grain for distilling or brewing'.  Both sources agree that the preservation of grain is important but source 'b' takes this point further as it tells us the anti-saloon league wanted grain to be banned completely, whereas 'a' only says there was a 'concern'.  But essentially both sources are in agreement that the preservation of grain was a factor contributing towards prohibition.  

Also popularity of prohibition could have created a 'domino effect' in America, as 23 states were already dry in 1917, the neighboring states to the ones already alcohol free, may be influenced.  Source 'a' supports this popularity by stating '23 states had already introduced a ban on alcohol' and 'b' simply says 'nation-wide campaign' meaning the whole of America was in support of this.  The popularity is agreed by both sources.

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As feeling towards Germans would be negative due to the war, many Americans would not want to buy a German Beer and be seen as un-American, the majority of beers were German.  Source ‘a’ lists this as a reason whereas ‘b’ doesn’t.  ‘a’ says ‘feeling against the German-Americans who were important in brewing this isn’t a very important reason for prohibition but it would make it easier for the men to stop drinking.

The sources also agree about the immorality of alcohol.  Source ‘a’ states ‘the moral fervor inspired by the was to make the world safe for ...

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