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The WCTU
On this day the Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed this group would be one of the main fronts and public support of passing the 18th Amendment. Their main focus was to go against alcohol as it was seen as sinful and they held rallies and open prayer sessions outside of churches. Women were often drawn into joining them as they saw intoxicating beverages changing their home lives including their husbands. This movement would soon turn very radical at the turn of the century -
The Anti Saloon League
The ASL was formed on May 24, 1893, this league was much like the WCTU but more expansive to those who just hated alcohol and the chaos it caused. Its members were more than just women. The two unions worked side by side to get the dream of prohibition accomplished as they held major political power by 1920. The most prominent of those figures is Wayne Wheeler who held speeches and focused on the negative impacts of alcohol for all people not just targeting one type of person in general. -
Carry Nation
During this time period came a temperance crusader was known as Carry Nation. She would simply go into bars in the state of Kansas and smash the barrels and property of the bars to destroy alcohol. This is mainly due to the fact that the prohibition law of Kansas that was active at this time was not being enforced which upset her so she parted with the non-violent ways of the WCTU and went saloon to saloon smashing everything in sight to some she was viewed as a menace -
Wayne Wheeler
Wayne Wheeler was the main leader of the ASL and a major politician of the prohibition era. Wheeler was born in 1869 and joined the ASL as their leader in 1903 he made a huge name for himself with his absolute hatred of alcohol. He gained power as a normal politician would by playing off the fear of his supporters which was finding a way to make them hate alcohol. He was a master of manipulation of the people to achieve his dreams however once prohibition became real they could not maintain it. -
World War 1
World War One was a huge world event that the United States joined into on April 6, 1917, but support for joining earlier was prevalent. The joining of this war was due to the sinking of the Lusitania and the Zimmermans Note. These two actions made the United States join and the nationalism of the United States soared. The 18th Amendment support was also soaring as political posters showing nationalistic ideas about getting rid of booze were being put out by the WTCU and the ASL. -
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18th Amendment Proposed and Ratified
The Amendment took about 3 years to pass through and it would go into effect after the day it passed. Although most of the public showed staggering support as the public slowly agreed with the thought that alcohol was evil but this would soon change again when it will result in the rise of crime across America in gangs who participated in bootlegging in the Urban areas and often had many casualties over bootlegging like the St Valentines Day Massacre. -
Al Capone
Al Capone is one of the most notorious criminals of this time partially due to the bootlegging business that was spurred on after the passing of the 18th Amendment due to the fact that alcohol would be sold for crazy money many people made it themselves and sold it outside of this Capone was known for his businesses in gambling prostitution and bootlegging. He based all his businesses out of Chicago but his influence reached farther. One of his many nicknames was "The Crime Czar of Chicago". -
Prescription Liquor of Drugstores and Wine of Churches
An interesting way around prohibition was drugstores and churches as they held the right to make alcohol for medical and religious purposes. This was heavily exploited as things like buying wine from ministers that would be used for communion were common. There was also over the counter medicine that was sold with instructions that made "medical" liquor that would mainly just be bought for recreational use -
Speakeasy
In short, a speakeasy is a citizen-operated bar or party that was like a black-market business or party area where all sorts of alcohol were being bought and consumed. These became a prominent part of prohibition as they were a way to rebel against the 18th Amendment. These bars often had a direct relation to officiated crime to have their stores. Some other businesses like pharmacies were in with the mob to sell things people could use to make their own drinks. The first opened in 1922 Chumleys -
The Great Depression/Stock Market Crash
One of the most infamous times of United States history is undoubtedly the Great Depression which started at the end of the roaring '20s and prohibition. This event had a major effect on the economy of the United States and had a major turning point on the thoughts of prohibition. This is because the country was in crippling debt and besides that, they were not taking advantage of the copious amounts of cash from alcohol which is one of the reasons the 21st amendment would be passed. -
Ratification of the 21st Amendment
After 13 years the government ended the Prohibition time period which was needed the 18th Amendment was costing the government as they could be taxing the alcohol and making lots of money but they couldn't with the 18th Amendment being a thing as it was an outlawed good but everyone was still distributing the good and consuming alcohol which those who wanted to ban the product severely dwindled in support and many of the devoted leaders who fought for it died like Wayne Wheeler