1. The 1920s: The Politics of Prohibition
“Can’t I Get a Drink?”
The 1920s:
The Politics of Prohibition

2. Questions: Was there a dominant culture in 1920s American society?
What were the differences between the Anti-Saloon League and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union? What did these groups have in common?
What other social issues are linked to the prohibition movement (besides a end to drinking)?
What socio-economic group had the most interest in seeing Prohibition succeed? Why?

3. In a Nutshell: 18th Amendment Volstead Act (1919) 21st Amendment
Ratified by ¾ of states by 1919
Prohibited the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages in U.S.
Volstead Act (1919)
“National Prohibition Enforcement Act”
Gave 18th Amendment “teeth”
Defined “alcoholic beverage”
Content greater that 0.5 percent
21st Amendment
Passed in 1933; Repealed 18th Amendment
Ratifying conventions used in each state; 73% approved

4. Maintain the Grip: Anglo-Saxon Protestants in Control
Wish to maintain a grip on society:
Immigration Restriction
Anti-Semitism
Most virulent: Henry Ford
KKK Again
“Threats” from Blacks, Jews, and Catholics
Economy:
A-S Protestants controlled manufacturing, railroads, and public utilities

5. Shifts in Population Dillingham Commission Report (1910-11)
Birth rates of immigrants and poor “natives” exceeded the “old stock”
By 1911: 2 of 3 students had immigrant parents
Immigrants lived in states with most electoral votes
Republicans ignored needs of this growing group
So, why did we just look at all of this information?

6. Prohibition Not new in 1920s:
Maine Law (1851) outlawed manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors
1855: 13 of 31 states had these laws
Civil War: banned drinking for Union soldiers
Grain needed for food

7. Scientific Evidence
Scientific Temperance Journal founded after Civil War
Textbooks showed degenerating human organs from drink
Every state/territory in 1902 (except AZ) had laws requiring temperance instruction in schools
Eugenics used
Immigrants inferior since children drank since a young age

8. WCTU and Anti-Saloon League
Women’s Christian Temperance Union
Progressive group
Frances Willard
Fought for suffrage, 8-hour workday, prison reform, and Social Gospel
To make temperance look attractive to reformers
Progressives:
Prohibition a way to attack urban political bosses (headquarters located in saloons)

9. Anti-Saloon League (1896) Only goal: Prohibition
Developed modern lobby techniques
Anti-drinking brochures
Appealed to church membership
Lobbied lawmakers and businessmen
1900:
Maine, Iowa, and Kansas had laws
1918:
28 states had laws

10. Who was a Prohibitionist?
Largely the A-S establishment
Rural/small-town dwellers
Middle Class
Anglo-Saxon
Evangelical Protestant
Anti-Black, anti-immigrant, anti-Jew, anti-Catholic
Beliefs/Motives:
Alcohol immoral
Encouraged political machines
Fulfilled personal political ambitions

11. World War I Aided cause: Hysteria against all things foreign
Prohibition linked to patriotism
Liquor industry shown as foreign-controlled in propaganda
Many breweries run by German-Americans
Centralization of government power
Took over railroads and factories
Passed conscription act
Curtailed free-speech
Government seen as upholder of Americans’ moral codes
Limits to individual liberty acceptable for sake of higher social responsibilities.

12. Results Enforcement of Volstead Act impossible
Organized crime/smuggling rings grew
Home brewing popular
A-S Legal control succeeded, but social control declined