To what extent can Prohibition be seen as a failure?

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America during the 1920’s – Prohibition

To what extent can Prohibition be seen as a failure?

Prohibition was the power to ban (prohibit) the production, export, import, transportation or sale of intoxicating beverages, the definition of such a drink being one that contained at least 0.5 per cent of alcohol. These kinds of drinks are and were generally associated with celebration, enjoyment and relaxation, so why would anybody want to forbid them?

The “roaring twenties” in America were a wild, scandalous, and exciting time. To outsiders it was a fantasyland, and to most insiders it was a prosperous period of fun and pleasure. Jazz, film, cars and saloons, it was an image of success and wealth. However, not everyone shared the enjoyment for this rebellious spirit. Much criticism and disgust were expressed from groups like the Anti-Saloon League, the W.A.S.Ps, or the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. They were appalled by the misery, poverty, depravity, violence and general lack of morality found in their cities, the culprit, in their opinion, being alcohol. There were more than 100,000 saloons in the country, many of them permitting gambling, prostitution, sale to minors, public drunkenness and violence. The only way to protect society from this threat was to abolish the “drunkard-making business”.

The crusade to ban alcohol was backed by aims and beliefs that it would end the corruption, promote morality and reduce crime. Workers would be more focused and productive and people would have more respect for what’s right. Poverty might decrease with less money being wasted on alcohol and now that alcohol couldn’t be obtained in society, the cities couldn’t breed alcoholics. Individuals would generally become better god and law abiding citizens, producing an enhanced nation.

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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 ...

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