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Nature and Occasions of Intemperance
Rev. Lyman Beecher wrote sermons about drugs. He stated that many times, alcohol is overly consumed. Beecher said that people who drank too much had intemperance, which means that they lack restraint to stop drinking alcohol. -
Maine Bans Alcohol
The state of Maine passed a law that prohibited the sale of all alcoholic beverages. Maine was called a “dry” state. The law was unpopular with immigrants and the working class. It was repealed in 1856 because of a riot. -
Prohibition Party
The Prohibition Party is a political party, formed in 1869, that was opposed to the sale/consumption of alcohol. This third party hasn't had much support since the 18th Amendment's repeal. -
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was created in Hillsboro, Ohio. Members of this group protested the presence of wine at church. They also wanted to ban alcohol from military bases, Washington's institutions, and on Native American reservations. -
Anti-Saloon League
The Anti-Saloon League, founded by Reverend Howard Hyde Russell, was an organization pressing for prohibition. They attempted to make the nation dry through congressional hearings and national legislation. -
Temperance Raids
In Topeka, Kansas, Prohibitionists discarded liquor by pouring it into the sewer. Other raids included saloons being burnt down and others using brute force on saloon owners and alcohol manufacturers to discourage sale and distribution of alcohol. -
18th Amendment is ratified
The 18th Amendment was ratified and it went into effect. It prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors. The amendment started a 13 year period of prohibition. -
Volstead Act
The Volstead Act, also known as the National Prohibition Act, carried out the 18th Amendment. The act prohibited the production, sale, and transport of "intoxicating liquors." It had 3 main purposes:
1) prohibit intoxicating beverages
2) organize the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquor (but not consumption), and
3) guarantee a wide supply of alcohol and promote its use in scientific research and in the development of fuel, dye and other lawful industries and practices. -
Bootlegging and Gang Violence
The ban of alcohol led to many crimes that were committed during prohibition. Bootlegging, or rum-running, occurred when people would illegally smuggle or transport alcohol. Roy Olmstead was a famous bootlegger. Gang violence happened during this time when gangsters fought over turf, while selling their illegal alcohol. A famous gangster was Al Capone. -
Stock Market Crash
On Black Tuesday, the stock market crashed. The entire country fell into a deep depression. American government couldn't tax on alcohol either because of prohibition. -
Great Depression Begins
After the stock market crash, each social class got poorer and poorer. Life began to get worse for most people. Alcohol was used to drown sorrows and, in some cases, moonshining and a lot of bootlegging occurred. This made many more people question the need for a ban on alcohol. -
21st Amendment
This amendment ended prohibition in the United States. It was the first amendment to repeal another previously passed amendment. People in most states were again allowed to buy, transport, and manufacture alcohol.
