More support was gained for the clause after the First World War. A large proportion of Americas brewers were of German origin, and for obvious reasons, there was great anti-German feeling at this time.
The temperance groups had achieved the ban throughout the whole of USA by 1920, passed by the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. Most of the American people were outraged; Prohibition was a violation of their rights and freedom. It engendered a sense of injustice, resentment and in some cases, rebellion. It soon became clear that vast numbers of people, especially in the big cities like New York and Chicago, were prepared to defy the law and buy illegal drink however and wherever it could be obtained. It is here that the flaws of prohibition began.
The era inspired an extensive body of colourful display and happenings. Successful Prohibition was an ideal, not a reality; instead the Prohibition period was one of moral decay and social disorder. Firstly it came to mean the intolerable searches, seizures and shootings by police who secured little value in society. With their token of enforcement they threatened unjustified intrusion into the private lives of law-abiding people. Soon they lost most of their power and influence on the regular citizen, and so were ineffective against the increased corruption.
Prohibition distorted the role of alcohol in American life, causing people to actually drink more rather then less. This promoted disrespect for the law, and generated a wave of organized criminal activity. Deaths from alcoholism actually increased by 600% during this time. Huge illegal liquor businesses were initiated at this time, organized and run by the “gangs”. In the big cities especially, illegal bars (speakeasies) organised and run by the gangs appeared and multiplied rapidly. They supplied the huge demand through smuggling and personal brewing. The smuggling, (bootlegging), was not only brought and sold in the speakeasies, but also in normal nightclubs, restaurants and shops, emphasising the disregard people were feeling. The gangs obtained the liquor from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean in ships, which were anchored out to sea beyond the three-mile limit of the law. From here they could unload the liquor into small boats that could outrun the coastguards and get their bootie safely to the mainland. The illegal breweries produced what was known as Moonshine. Liquor made to no enforced standards, it often had devastating effects on health and well-being.
The city gangs became notorious and multi-millionaires, they were a dominant feature of US city life, and despite their blatant wrongdoings they were left untouched. Bribery of politicians, judges and law enforcement officials ensured this. Government money was undoubtedly wasted trying to stop these happenings, the crime had increased catastrophically, it was out of control by now.
To look at the successes of Prohibition is to not look far. The only real positive consequence to come out of it was one that benefited the soft drinks owners. With alcohol made illegal, people drank more soft drinks, and so the companies grew tremendously and made a lot of money. The failures however can be summarised to increased crime, consumption of alcohol, deaths from alcohol, murders, drug and alcohol abuse, gangster organisation and lack of respect for the law. All of which were very serious and complete opposites to what Prohibition was intended to achieve.
During the early years of the Great Depression, a major shift in public opinion occurred, and Prohibition was finally brought to an end. This was due because firstly 1929 saw the demise of the speakeasy and bootlegging. Unemployment was so high that there was no money to spend on liquor, and therefore no demand for its provision. Crime and gang organisation declined, it was apparent that people just weren’t interested anymore.
Secondly, the depression gave opponents persuasive arguments that prohibition deprived people of jobs and governments of revenue and generally contributed to economic stagnation. The opponents generally consisted of wealthy and influential citizens in all states that were “wet” in principle, and who feared that through Prohibition the federal government might permanently compromise the tradition of individual freedom. Eventually in 1933 they managed to achieve a vote of yes or no regarding the question the 21st Amendment, the Amendment that repealed the 18th. 73% wanted to abolish Prohibition, at last it was over.
Overall it can be concluded that Prohibition can be seen to a vast extent a failure. It brought America further distortion, corruption and unhappiness, and was unsuccessful in accomplishing any of its aims. However, there is no guarantee that America wouldn’t have demeaned in this way had Prohibition not been instated. At the time Prohibition was campaigned for, America was undeniably rowdy and outrageous, its standards were decreasing, and its image staining. Some boundaries were definitely needed to stop the cities getting out of control; prohibition was a justified attempt to help America. Unfortunately it didn’t have as much respect and support as initially thought, and therefore was simply seen as an obstacle, holding no significance to a majority of people, and therefore, failing.