Prohibition
Political
Prohibition was authorized in 1919 by the Eighteenth Amendment, as implemented by the Volstead Act passed by Congress. These laws were meant to make the world "safe for hypocrisy." However, it was difficult to enforce prohibition because of the tenacious American tradition of strong drink and of weak control by the central government, especially over private lives.
Social
The abolition of alcohol was popular in the South and West. Southern whites were eager to keep stimulants out of the hands of blacks. Those in the West wanted prohibition to stop public drunkenness, prostitution, corruption, and crime. However, because prohibition was difficult to enforce, many still drank illegally. Thousands of "speakeasies" were open. Inside these "speakeasies," both men and women drank hard liquor.
Economic
As a result of prohibition, bank savings increased and absenteeism in industry decreased, probably because of the newly sober ways of formerly soused barflies.
Prohibition was authorized in 1919 by the Eighteenth Amendment, as implemented by the Volstead Act passed by Congress. These laws were meant to make the world "safe for hypocrisy." However, it was difficult to enforce prohibition because of the tenacious American tradition of strong drink and of weak control by the central government, especially over private lives.
Social
The abolition of alcohol was popular in the South and West. Southern whites were eager to keep stimulants out of the hands of blacks. Those in the West wanted prohibition to stop public drunkenness, prostitution, corruption, and crime. However, because prohibition was difficult to enforce, many still drank illegally. Thousands of "speakeasies" were open. Inside these "speakeasies," both men and women drank hard liquor.
Economic
As a result of prohibition, bank savings increased and absenteeism in industry decreased, probably because of the newly sober ways of formerly soused barflies.