There were several reasons why Prohibition was introduced. One of the origin causes was that women complaint that men spent too much time and money on alcoholic drinks. It was probably the first concern about alcohol during the 1850s. At the time, brewing was a big and powerful business in every part of America as without a doubt, it was one of the best, guaranteed ways to make money quickly. The brewers were trying to expand their retail sales through the saloons, but it became very competitive. As the number of saloons increased, it was difficult for a saloonkeeper to earn a profit. Therefore they had to try out lots of different ways to attract the customers. Some saloonkeeper enticed people to drink more alcohol by providing ‘free lunches’. Some offered new patron free drinks and eventually this tactic extended to boys. Only spending a few cents on free drinks for boys was a good investment, the money would be amply covered, when the boys became habitual drinkers. They also engaged in sideline vices in order to make ends meet- gambling, cock fighting and prostitution.
Most of the patrons were immigrants and unskilled industrial workers. They were very low-paid and often had big families to look after. But even so, they spent a lot of time in the saloons and wasting their money on alcohol or betting after working everyday. They frequently hit their wives and children after drinking and they couldn’t afford to stabilise their family’s needs.
Youths did not have enough money to spend on alcohol. They often turned into pickpockets and stole money. These people were disasters for the society. As the stealing continued to happened. There was a rapid increase of other problems, such as crime, profanity, tobacco chewing, prostitution, gambling and politician corruption.
The first real resurgence came in the early 1870s, with the founding of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Members viewed drink and the saloon as dangers to their families, they organised with enthusiasm and intelligence. They used Ohio's Adair Law, which held taverns responsible for some of the actions of drunken patrons. But victories came slowly. By the late 1880s, only five states were back in the prohibition, and national prohibition seemed a remote dream.
Although the dry politician activity was slowly progressed. But more people were against the ‘wets’. Anti- liquor became more popular to people, as there were alcohol education in the schools and health warnings from physicians and scientists. The number of ‘Drys’ was increasing instantly since then.
This was called the Anti-Saloon League, the brainchild of Reverend Dr. Howard Hyde Russell of Ohio, who had skilled leadership, the league became the most influential political pressure group of its day. National and state offices, with paid staff and thousands of motivated volunteers, brought out the vote and linked drys with elected officials. League speakers traversed the country, speaking in front of church, and business groups.
National Prohibition loomed ever closer. By 1903, over a third of the nation (35 million people), lived under some type of prohibitory law. It rose to 46 million (about half of the populace), by 1913. Also, prohibition had won hundreds of small battles at the local and state levels.
In 1916, after a tremendous push from all dry organisations, the general elections sent many League-endorsed candidates to Congress, that National Prohibition was assured. The 18th Amendment easily received congressional approval in December 1917. By January 1919, the 36 states had voted to ratify. No previous amendment had ever passed so quickly and so clear. The nation became constitutionally dry in January 1920.
