Stuff You Should Know Prohibition: Turns Out That America Loves to Drink
Nov 9, 2010
Learn about the fascinating history of Prohibition in America, including the reasons for its enactment and the rise of illegal speakeasies. Discover the impact of World War I on Prohibition and the exceptions to the rule. Explore the economic consequences of Prohibition, such as alcohol trafficking and the loss of tax revenue. Uncover the effects of alcohol prohibition in America and the parallels with the marijuana movement. Delve into the repeal of Prohibition and its impact on drinking cultures in Europe. Finally, hear about the consequences of vodka consumption in Russia and listener stories about the podcast's influence.
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Constitutional Ban With Weak Teeth
- The 18th Amendment (enacted 1920) forbade manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol nationwide.
- The amendment had limited immediate effect until enforcement details were defined by the Volstead Act.
Women Organized The Temperance Drive
- Women led much of the temperance movement before they had the vote and organized powerful campaigns.
- Carrie Nation famously wielded a hatchet at saloons and was arrested dozens of times for direct action.
Nativism Drove Prohibition Support
- Anti-immigrant sentiment toward Germans and Irish fueled support for prohibition.
- World War I intensified that bias by framing beer as unpatriotic and wasteful of grain.