What was the prohibition all about?

Answer 1

The Beer/Alcohol Prohibition, The Noble Experiment or the "Volstead Act" began in 1920, during the "boom" of the 1920s. Many people were "financial drunk" and felt that their money (much of it was borrowed) was burning a hole in their pocket. During this time, (as well as the current era, as some would say) many men found drinking a good way to pass time. They would spend an extreme amount of money, sometimes every night going out and drinking with their friends or co-workers. This was a very strong aspect for the economy, as making alcohol and alcohol products created a lot of jobs.

Although everyone seemed to be having a good time, the women were not impressed. They did not like how men were spending a large sum of their profits on alcohol, an item that disappeared so quickly. The men were often going out daily and not spending enough time at home with their wives and kids. The women protested.

Another group that protested the popularity of alcohol was the bosses and owners of businesses. Men would come to work late, not at all, or if on time, very drowsy and hungover. It was not good for the production of goods, and workers even got injured on the job because they were not focused and wanted to sleep off their hangovers.

In 1920, the prohibition was brought in, and was successful in bringing down the amount of liquor consumed, but also brought out secret drinking clubs, which were very popular. Al Capone, (the leader of the Mafia) made 60 million dollars in one year in the alcohol business, a fair bit of money in that time, as well as this time. Police officers and politicians were paid to "look the other way."

In 1933, the prohibition ended with Franklin D. Roosevelt's first "New Deal" with the decision to bring alcohol back to help the economy and pull the United States out of the Great Depression.

Answer 2

A number of western countries have tried to impose alcohol prohibition within the last 150 years, all in an unsuccessful attempt to prohibit the consumption of Alcoholic Beverages.