Why was prohibition introduced in the USA?

Learning objective – to understand the reasons why America introduced prohibition. I can describe the different reasons why American introduced prohibition. Grade D I can explain and make links between the different reasons behind why people supported prohibition. Grade B I can explain the links between and the importance of the causes behind prohibition Grade A and A*.

Starter – out the 48 states of America in 1919 – how many had banned alcohol?

Answer - 32 states out of 48.

What was prohibition? Prohibition in the USA was the banning of the manufacturing and sale of alcoholic drinks. Prohibition in USA lasted from 1920 to By 1919, 32 US states – mainly in the Old South and West - had banned the consumption of alcohol.

Who campaigned for prohibition? The Women’s Christian Temperance Union [WCTU] opposed alcohol on moral and religious grounds. Formed in 1875 and led by such preachers as Carrie Nation. They were famous for campaigning outside saloons using the Bible as well as smashing bars up with hatchets.

Who campaigned for prohibition? The major protest group was the Anti-Saloon League [ASL], formed in 1893 and led by Wayne Wheeler. The ASL targeted support from the church and helped to elect ‘dry’ politicians to US Congress. The ASL was influential in the initial states – Oklahoma and Tennessee – introducing prohibition.

Which parts of society supported prohibition? Most support for prohibition came from small towns and rural areas where the Protestant church was strongest. They were critical of the standards of behaviour and morality in the major northern cities and saw alcohol as the root of such social evils as crime and poverty. Such was the growing support for prohibition that many politicians were reluctant to openly oppose prohibition for fear of losing votes.

Why was prohibition supported? Moral reasons Many believed that alcohol ruined family life and caused child abuse. Working men were portrayed as spending most of their wages on drinking then going home drunk and in a violent mood. Religious reasons Seen as unchristian to drink because it encouraged immoral behaviour. Commercial reasons Rockefeller was a leading figure in the prohibition campaign. Businessmen felt that alcohol damaged productivity and created health and safety issues in the workplace.

Why was prohibition supported? Impact of the First World War The war boosted the prohibition campaign as it was seen as the use of grain to make alcohol was a waste. Alcohol was seen to potentially damage discipline in the army – even now alcohol is banned in the US Navy. The growth of anti-German feeling led to a fall in drinking beer from the major breweries who had German origins, such as Budweiser. Racial Reasons There were close associations with drinking alcohol and immigrant groups. Immigrant groups had settled in the major cities away from the small towns and rural areas dominated by WASPs. Prohibition was seen as a way to preserving the WASP way of life.

How was prohibition introduced in the USA? The 18 th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1919 barred the consumption of ‘intoxicating liquor’. This was further refined in the Volstead Act of 1919, which defined ‘intoxicating liquor’ as any drink containing more than 0.5% alcohol. This came into force in January 1920 – the ‘noble experiment’ had begun.

Main task Stick your copy of this comic strip in your exercise book and make notes around the comic strip explaining each reason why prohibition was passed. Extension tasks Which reason was the most significant in explaining why prohibition was passed? Design a prohibition campaign leaflet justifying why you want national prohibition.

Plenary This word cloud summarises the content of today’s lesson. Pick out the three most important words and explain why they summarise your learning in the lesson.