PROHIBITION

The roots of Prohibition in America go back to the mid-19th century and were one of many utopian experiments attempted on a smaller scale.  Economically, prohibition was impractical until after the income tax was instituted in 1913, because taxes on importation, manufacture and consumption of alcoholic beverages previously made up 1/3 to 1/2 of federal revenue.  Anti Saloon forces joined with suffragettes in mutual support, and the 18th (prohibition) and 19th (women suffrage) amendments were adopted.  By 1920, Congress was persuaded by arguments that sin, crime, poverty, and disease would vanish in the absence of alcohol.  

Medical prescriptions for distilled liquor on federal forms were required and filled by pharmacies in one-pint quantities. Refills were allowed every 10 days. On display are booklets of doctors' prescription forms, and the one-pint (and later, half-pint) bottles with prescriptions attached.  The numbers of urban pharmacies increased tenfold. 

Despite some vigorous local enforcement efforts, alcohol consumption only decreased minimally.  America became, what author Ken Burns described in a recent documentary, "A Nation of Hypocrites."  There was inadequate political support for repeal of the 18th amendment during the ensuing three presidential administrations. 

The Great Depression in the 1930's forced rethinking the politics of Repeal.  Sin in the Roaring 20's boomed. Crime in the manufacture, smuggling, and sale of alcohol was about the only national growth industry. Poverty increased dramatically with 25% unemployment. Alcohol related disease persisted unabated.  

The 1932 election of Franklin Roosevelt, who was a reluctant “wet”, along with a "wet" Congress, led to the passage and adoption of the 21st (repeal) amendment in 1933. This was aided by the need to increase federal revenue sources from liquor taxes.