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American Temperance Society Created
The American Temperance Society formed and persuaded Americans to stop drinking. They wanted the drinkers to sign the temperance pledge and ogranized children's clubs, known as the "Cold Water Army." They successfully used pictures, pamphlets, and lecturers to promote abstinence from alcohol. -
Maine passes the first prohibition law
Maine was the first state to pass a law against the production, importation, and consumtion of alcohol in 1851. This prohibition was however repealed in 1856 because of violent rioters who had lost their jobs. -
12 More States Join Maine
12 more states joined Maine in prohibiting alcohol. These states were called the "dry" states and the states that didn't prohibit alcohol were "wet" states. -
The Anti-Saloon League is formed
The Anti-Saloon league was a group lobbying for the federal prohibition of alcohol. This group was strongest in the south and rural areas of the north. -
The National Prohibition Act, or Vostead Act
Ths act prohibited all alcohol on a federal level in all the states. This total prohibition had unexpected effects, where alcohol began to be produced even more than before by bootleggers. Many gangs took over the disstilation business, like Al Capone.
