Prohibition aimed for temperance but fueled organized crime, showcasing unintended consequences.
The Volstead Act loopholes allowed 'near beer' production and exploited prescriptions, leading to societal impacts.
Deep dives
Prohibition Era Overview
The podcast delves into the prohibition era in the United States during the 1920s and early 30s. It mentions the farewell 'chindex' for booze held in New York before prohibition, contrasting it with funeral celebrations like the one in Virginia with Billy Sunday, an ex-baseball player turned preacher. The movement for temperance, rooted in moral and nativist motivations, aimed to reform alcohol consumption, intersecting with racist sentiments against immigrant communities.
Volstead Act and Impact
The 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act enforced prohibition, banning the production, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages. The Volstead Act established penalties for violations, including fines and jail time. The act permitted the production of 'near beer' by brewers and led to loopholes exploited by individuals through prescriptions for medicinal alcohol, religious exceptions, and private reserves.
Legacy and Repeal of Prohibition
Prohibition triggered unintended consequences, including the rise of organized crime and illegal speakeasies. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre and the Chicago Beer Wars exemplified the criminal underworld's reign under prohibition. The economic collapse of the Wall Street crash and the Great Depression prompted the repeal of prohibition in 1933, revealing the failures and societal impacts of the prohibition era.
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Sarah Churchwell and comedian Kemah Bob in 1920s USA to follow the implementation and after-effects of Prohibition. They take a look at the origins of the Prohibition laws and hear how a movement designed to encourage temperance backfired on the nation.
For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Tim Galsworthy
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.
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