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The Failure Of Prohibition In The 1920's

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Prohibition in the 1920s “It was a spasm of desperate joy fueled... by great quantities of "bottled sunshine" liberated from "cellars, bank vaults, and other hiding places." Now, on January 16, the sunshine was surrendering to darkness."(Okrent 1). On January 16, 1919 the manufacture, distribution, and sale of liquors was banned under the 18th amendment. Thousands lost their jobs and America was ushered into an era of prohibition. Drinking was seen as the cause of every societal ill and Prohibition was the cure. Dubbed “The Noble Experiment”, it’s intentions were held high but eventually failed. Although Prohibition was seen as an effective way to end drinking, ultimately it formed organized crime and economic ruin through loss of taxes and exploitation. …show more content…

Organizations like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League warned Americans about alcohol in the 1820s and throughout the 1800s. Men would spend all their money and time at saloons, this victimized families and minimized work performance in factories. They considered alcohol to bet the “nation’s curse” and believed its elimination would boost overall national character (Prohibition). By the end of the century national attention had gathered and the nation split between the drys and the wets. The drys supported prohibition, while the wets were against it. The drys believed the repeal of alcohol would improve health and moral standards but the wets disagreed. After a long national campaign the drys got their prohibition but the outcome was opposite of their expectations. The result of the prohibition had unforeseen aftermath. With the repeal of alcohol came the end of tax revenue. Many states relied on excise taxes to fund their budgets.

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