Prohibition

U.S. History II

The Temperance Movement Traditional distinction between

distilled & fermented beverages– Distilled (“hard”) liquor was targeted– Fermented (beer, wine, cider) was

not

Antebellum campaigns worked well– 13 states had “Maine” laws by 1855– Annual per capita consumption of

pure alcohol dropped from 10 gallons in 1830 to 2.1 gallons by 1850

Industrialization of Brewing Pasteurization & refrigerated

cars Saloons linked to gambling &

prostitution Total annual beer

consumption rose dramatically:– 1850: 36 million gallons– 1870: 204 million gallons– 1880: 414 million gallons– 1890: 855 million gallons

Population increased 300%, from 23 to 63 million

Schlitz Tavern, Chicago

The New Temperance Crusade

Women’s Christian Temperance Union campaigned under the slogan, “Home Protection”– Frances Willard was

president (1879-98)– Linked achievement of

goals to women’s suffrage– In 10 out of 12 states

where women voted before 1919, Prohibition was enacted

Frances Willard

The Anti-Saloon League

Wayne B. Wheeler established the Anti-Saloon League in 1895– Drafted legislation &

defended it in courts– Worked for other

Progressive reforms, too– Over 90% of ASL funds

came from donations of less than $100, mostly from church pledge drives

Wayne B. Wheeler

Prohibition Party Cartoons

Prohibition Party Cartoon

Temperance Laws by State, 1893

Temperance Laws by State, 1915

Temperance Laws by State, 1918

Congressional Legislation Webb-Kenyon Act (1913) banned liquor

shipments into “dry” states (35 by 1916) Congress banned sale of alcohol to soldiers Lever Food & Fuel Control Act (1917)

forbade distilling from food products Wilson issued presidential proclamation

limiting beer to 2.5% alcohol in Dec. 1917 18th Amendment (Dec. 1917) prohibited

“manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors”

Volstead Act (Oct. 1919) was “bone dry,” but made exceptions for medicinal, religious or industrial uses.

Prohibition in Practice,1919-1933

Consumption of alcohol dropped 33% - 50%

Not responsible for crime wave or “flaming youth”

Boosted consumer spending in other areas, fueling 1920s boom.

Prohibition Bureau got $6,750,000 in 1922 for 3,060 employees

The End of Prohibition Wickersham Commission reported in 1931

that laws weren’t being enforced Association Against the Prohibition

Amendment led repeal campaign– Framed issue as creating jobs during Depression– Lobbied with money from Rockefellers & DuPonts

FDR was “damp,” but signalled he would sign 21st Amendment (passed March 1933)

73% majority in rural & urban districts ratified the amendment by Dec. 1933

Congress had allowed beer sales beginning April 4, 1933