The Prohibition Era which occurred in 1920-1933 was an integral part of American History. It was enforced after the 18th amendment of the law passed to regulate drugs and alcohol consumption in America. It was called the Volstead Act. The need for employers to have their employees work more effective due to sober minds, reduction in crime and strong family ties saw the introduction of the Prohibition.
States like Maine outlawed the sale of liquor in 1855 (Behr, 1996). Soon later other states joined it. Many Temperance advocates felt that alcohol was the main cause of crime and social ills in the country. They started the enforcement by advocating for regulated alcohol intake. Decade later they changed and advocated for complete prohibition. Women temperance soon joined. They formed organization such as National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union that advocated for the prohibition. They asked schools to teach the ills of alcohol to students.
Soon after the 18th Amendment was effective. Saloons and Speakeasies emerged. This was after the soldiers who were at civil war came back and found the prohibition effected. They were used to alcohol and so they started meeting at specific places called Saloons.
During the Prohibition, alcohol levels and quantities decreased but this could be attributed to the high cost of alcohol at the saloons and speakeasies. A record success was noted in the rural areas. In the urban areas the opposition was so strong. Many people lost their jobs during this time because distillers, taverns, transportation companies were closed. Notable law abiding citizens started engaging in criminal activities like sneaking drinks in all sorts of ways so as to be able to transport them. Into this crime- ripe environment walked such characters as Al “Scarface” Capone in Chicago, the purple Gang of Detroit, and Lucky Luciano in New York (Clark, 1988). People started drinking hard liquor instead of their normal drink like wine; it...