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1920's and Prohibition

  • Origins of the prohibition

    Wave of religious revivalism swept the united states. Maine passed the first state prohibition laws in 1846.
  • Passage of the Prohibition Amendment

    After the United States entered World War 1, president Woodrow Wilson instituted a temporary wartime prohibition. Congress submitted the 18th Amendment, which banned the manufacture, transportation and sale intoxicating liquors.
  • Enforcement of Prohibition

    The government struggled to enforce the prohibition during the 1920's.
  • 1922

    M. Lois Gross formed the Molly Pitcher Club. A womans anti-prohibition group. opposed federal interference with personal behaviors.
  • 1923

    Law enforcers violated these laws in enforcing prohibition. Nevada passed a Repeal Act.
  • 1924

    Police arrested bootlegger Roy Olmsted. He was a former Seattle police sergeant.
  • 1925

    A sheriff in Arizona reported to have seized 152 stills. He arrested 183 people for violation state alcohol laws.
  • 1926

    Dr. Raymond Pearl published "Alcohol and Longevity". Moderate drinkers outlived abstainers and heavy drinkers. Montana voted to stop enforcing prohibition.
  • 1927

    Powerful Anit-Saloon leader Wayne Wheeler died. Bishop James Cannon, Jr was chair of the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals. He was the most powerful leader.
  • Hypocrisy

    hypocrisy was widespread during the Prohibition. Andrew Volstead drank alcohol. Warren Harding voted prohibition as a senator. Then as President had a stock of bootleg alcohol in the white house.
  • 1929

    Bootleggers diverted about 10% of denatured industrial alcohol for bootleg liquor.