Prohibition in the United States (1920-1933)

This section explores Prohibition during the 1920’s and early 1930’s. Prohibition refers to the period from 1920 to 1933 when the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol were banned in the United States. It was a bold experiment initiated by the government, but ultimately, it proved to be a failure and was repealed after 13 years. Prohibition was meant to address social issues such as crime and domestic violence, but it led to widespread lawlessness, organised crime, and significant challenges in enforcement.

Reasons for Prohibition

Several groups of people in the United States campaigned for the prohibition of alcohol, citing a variety of moral, social, and economic concerns. These groups were united in their desire to curb the negative effects of alcohol on society, although they had different motivations:

• Social Campaigners: Many social reformers were concerned about the negative effects of alcohol on society, including domestic violence, crime, and general social instability. They argued that alcohol was a root cause of many social ills, including family breakdown and poverty.
• Temperance Societies: The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and other temperance groups were driven by religious and moral convictions. They believed that alcohol was morally wrong and detrimental to society. The WCTU campaigned vigorously for alcohol bans and women's rights.
• Business Leaders: Some industrialists supported Prohibition because they believed that alcohol consumption reduced the efficiency of their workers. They felt that a sober workforce would lead to higher productivity and less absenteeism.
• The Anti-Saloon League: This was one of the most successful groups in terms of political mobilisation. Their powerful lobbying efforts put pressure on the government to enact Prohibition laws, and they were instrumental in the passage of the 18th Amendment.

These groups were known as the "drys," advocating for a dry (alcohol-free) society, while those opposed to Prohibition, who wanted to maintain access to alcohol, were known as the "wets."

The Passage of the 18th Amendment

Prohibition was set in motion with the passage of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1919. The amendment made it illegal to manufacture, sell, or transport "intoxicating liquors," which were defined as drinks containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. This legislation was enforced by the Volstead Act, which was passed in the same year and provided a legal framework for Prohibition.

President Herbert Hoover famously referred to Prohibition as “the Noble Experiment,” believing that it would lead to a more moral and productive society. However, while many supporters were optimistic, the reality of enforcement proved to be far more complex.

The Failure of Prohibition

Prohibition’s failure can be attributed to several key factors, including the widespread public opposition, poor enforcement, and the rise of illegal alcohol production and distribution. Despite the government's efforts to enforce the ban, Prohibition quickly proved unpopular and ultimately unenforceable.

• Unpopularity and Disobedience: Many Americans believed that Prohibition went against the principles of personal liberty and individual freedom. As a result, large segments of the population simply ignored the law and continued to consume alcohol in secret.
• Bootlegging and Smuggling: One of the biggest challenges for enforcement agents was the illegal smuggling of alcohol, known as bootlegging. Organised crime syndicates smuggled alcohol from abroad, particularly from Canada and the Caribbean, or produced it domestically. This underground network made alcohol widely available, even in the face of legal prohibitions.
• Speakeasies and Illegal Bars: Illegal bars, known as speakeasies, flourished during Prohibition. These hidden establishments, often located in basements or behind unmarked doors, offered alcohol to customers who could gain access through secret passwords. In New York City, for example, there were more bars operating in 1929 than there were before Prohibition started. The demand for alcohol was so strong that speakeasies became popular social hubs, frequented by both the wealthy and the working class.
• The Wickersham Commission: In 1929, President Hoover commissioned the Wickersham Commission to evaluate the impact of Prohibition. The commission's report revealed the extent of the law’s failure: Prohibition was nearly impossible to enforce due to insufficient enforcement agents, corruption among officials, and the sheer scale of illegal alcohol production. It also noted that many Americans simply ignored the law and continued to drink in secret.

The Rise of Organised Crime

Perhaps the most significant and unintended consequence of Prohibition was the rise of organised crime. The criminal underworld saw an opportunity to make vast profits by taking control of the illegal alcohol trade. Gangs involved in bootlegging became powerful and well-funded, leading to an increase in criminal activity.

• Al Capone: The most infamous gangster of the Prohibition era was Al Capone, who ran a highly lucrative criminal operation in Chicago. By the mid-1920s, Capone's bootlegging business was reportedly earning him around $60 million (equivalent to over £700 million today). Capone used violence and intimidation to eliminate rivals and maintain control over his territory. He was involved in numerous criminal activities, including murder, bribery, and extortion.
• Gang Violence: The competition for control over the illegal alcohol trade led to widespread violence. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929, in which seven members of a rival gang were murdered, is one of the most notorious incidents. By the late 1920s, Chicago alone had witnessed hundreds of gang-related murders.
• Corruption: Corruption among law enforcement and political figures made it difficult to stem the tide of illegal alcohol production and distribution. Many police officers and public officials were bribed by gangsters to turn a blind eye to their activities.

The End of Prohibition

By the early 1930s, it had become clear that Prohibition was causing more harm than good. Instead of reducing crime, it had fostered an increase in organised criminal activity. Public disillusionment with the law grew, and it was increasingly seen as a failure.

In 1933, the 21st Amendment was passed, officially repealing the 18th Amendment and ending Prohibition. This marked the end of over a decade of attempts to regulate alcohol through government intervention.

Prohibition was intended as a noble experiment to curb social problems associated with alcohol, but it ultimately failed to achieve its goals. The law was widely ignored, enforcement was difficult, and organised crime flourished as a result. Prohibition highlighted the challenges of enforcing moral legislation and showed that societal problems cannot always be solved through prohibitionist policies. Its legacy, however, shaped future debates about government regulation and individual freedoms in America.