We Are History Prohibition
Mar 21, 2021
The 1920s alcohol ban led to unexpected chaos, turning ordinary citizens into criminals and igniting the rise of infamous gangsters. Cultural tensions from immigrant drinking traditions fueled resistance, while women's activism played a crucial role in temperance movements. The hosts delve into the rise of speakeasies and the creativity behind illegal drinking tactics, including bathtub gin and moonshine. Prohibition's impact on organized crime and subsequent social changes reveal fascinating lessons about regulation and public behavior.
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Nationwide Alcohol Ban And Its Reach
- Prohibition (the 18th Amendment) banned manufacture, sale and transport of intoxicating liquors nationwide from January 1920. It applied broadly but allowed existing privately owned stocks to remain with wealthier households benefiting most.
Temperance Was A Mixed-Motive Movement
- The temperance movement blended moral, religious, anti-immigrant and feminist aims and was driven strongly by women activists. Leaders like the WCTU linked temperance to women's suffrage to gain political power.
Carrie Nation’s Hatchet Campaign
- Carrie Nation personally attacked saloons with a hatchet, smashing bottles, mirrors and taps as public protest. She then sold miniature hatchet souvenirs and became an infamous symbol of the movement.
