What Was The Purpose of Prohibition?
The overall idea of Prohibition in the United States was that it would reduce crime and improve the health of its citizens. However, previous attempts to outlaw alcohol had failed. In the 1800s people drank during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Americans protested that such dry laws would infringe on their personal liberties. Finally, in 1851, people began demanding a law to ban the sale of alcohol because it came to the point where American men spent more money on alcohol than their own families. The Volstead Act, which provided enforcement for the 18th amendment, was passed on October 28th, 1919. The 18th amendment was the first amendment of its kind, which enforced nationwide Prohibition in the United States. The Volstead Act was a big reason Prohibition went into effect.
There were many establishments that supported Prohibition. Some examples are: the Anti-Saloon League (established in 1893), the Women's Christian Temperance Union (established in 1874), and the Prohibition Party (established in 1869). These groups focused on putting an end to the sale of alcohol at saloons. Some of the groups would even attack saloons and completely destroy them. They believed that alcohol was man's greatest enemy. The United States government faced pressure from these groups, which eventually led to the creation of the 18th amendment.
Many Americans even found ways to get liquor legally. Citizens went to physicians for alcohol. The doctors prescribed alcohol to patients even when it wasn't needed. Both the doctors and patients benefitted from this; the patients got alcohol legally and the physicians got paid. Alcohol was prescribed for many reasons, including disease control. It could also be legally used for religious and other medicinal purposes, as well as "research". However, many Americans did not follow the laws at all and got liquor illegally.
There were many establishments that supported Prohibition. Some examples are: the Anti-Saloon League (established in 1893), the Women's Christian Temperance Union (established in 1874), and the Prohibition Party (established in 1869). These groups focused on putting an end to the sale of alcohol at saloons. Some of the groups would even attack saloons and completely destroy them. They believed that alcohol was man's greatest enemy. The United States government faced pressure from these groups, which eventually led to the creation of the 18th amendment.
Many Americans even found ways to get liquor legally. Citizens went to physicians for alcohol. The doctors prescribed alcohol to patients even when it wasn't needed. Both the doctors and patients benefitted from this; the patients got alcohol legally and the physicians got paid. Alcohol was prescribed for many reasons, including disease control. It could also be legally used for religious and other medicinal purposes, as well as "research". However, many Americans did not follow the laws at all and got liquor illegally.