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Prohibition Of Alcohol In The 1920's

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Prohibition of alcohol, also known as the “Noble Experiment” occurred in the United States between 1920 and 1933. Prohibition/ the 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture and distribution (but not consumption) of alcohol. Prohibition divided the nation in two. “Dry” versus “Wets”. Dry’s were those who supported prohibition, and “Wets” opposed the law. There were a couple of factors behind prohibition being approved. Firstly, World War I played a major role. With the United States fighting against Germany, tension against Germans began to spread. Rising xenophobia aided the passing of prohibition because the majority of liquor manufactures were German, so banning alcohol would negatively affect Germans. The Anti-Saloon, Women’s Rights and religion also played a major role in passing the 18th Amendment; as well as the NAACP, WCTU, the KKK, and the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World). (Prohibition, 2009) …show more content…
For example, many white Americans supported prohibition because they were against African Americans drinking. White Americans believed that African Americans became irate when they consumed alcohol. They didn’t want African Americans to have the liberty to drink and vote. It is also said that due to war, grain used to make alcohol can be used to make bread instead. Interestingly enough, many industrialists were also pro-prohibition because they believed it affected the way/how much their workers produced. The Volstead Act was passed on October 28th, 1919, to enforce the 18th amendment, which followed three months later in January of

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