Temperance movement
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The Temperance Movement was a social reform movement that initially focused on reducing the consumption of alcohol—drinking with temperance or in moderation. The movement eventually became associated in the United States with efforts to abolish alcohol from the marketplace and advocacy for complete abstinence from the use of alcohol.
The Temperance Movement included various organizations with political efforts in the United States during the 19th century and the early 20th century. The Temperance Movement focused upon the moral shortcomings of alcohol use and its impact upon families, communities and society. It is generally credited with legislation across the U.S. that controlled, reduced and finally prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Temperance legislation included the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act (otherwise known as The National Prohibition Act of 1919) which made the manufacture, sale, possession, use, barter, storage and transportation of alcohol illegal in the United States.
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Reform Organizations
There were several significant organizations active in the Temperance Movement such as:
• The American Temperance Society (ATS)
Founded in 1826, the American Temperance Society was a large nation-wide organization in the U.S. which advocated for the reduced consumption of alcohol and abstinence from alcohol. It is credited with a significant contribution to Prohibition legislation. Members of the ATS pledged abstinence from alcohol.
• The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
Founded in 1874, WCTU focused its temperance efforts on the negative effects of alcohol use by men upon women and families. Its efforts included public speaking, lobbying for legislation and disrupting businesses that sold alcohol. Carry Nation is perhaps the most famous WCTU member known for using a hatchet to damage saloon property in her reform efforts.
• The Anti-Saloon League
Founded in 1893, The Anti-Saloon League is credited with a significant contribution to the passage of the 18th Amendment. The League was dedicated to religious principles and was supported by the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches in the U.S. Its religious and moral objections to alcohol consumption exemplified The Anti-Saloon League’s mission to combat the weakening of society.
The Noble Experiment: Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol in the United States officially began January 16, 1920 under the Presidential administration of Woodrow Wilson. This was one year after the 18th Amendment prohibiting alcohol was ratified by all except two states, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Herbert Hoover served as President during the later years of Prohibition from 1929-1933 and called its efforts at social reform “an experiment noble in purpose”.
The 18th Amendment to the Constitution
The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution began Prohibition in the United States. It was in effect for 14 years from 1919 until 1933. The 18th Amendment stated:
• After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
• The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
• This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress
The Volstead Act—National Prohibition Act
The 18th Amendment did not define “intoxicating liquors” nor provide for enforcement of its prohibition of manufacture, sale and transportation of them. The National Prohibition Act, or the Volstead Act, which was authored by Andrew Volstead, a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Minnesota was passed by Congress on July 22, 1919. Although President Wilson vetoed this bill, the Volstead Act went into effect February 1, 1920. The Volstead Act stated that the definition of “intoxicating liquors” in the 18th Amendment was ½ of 1% alcohol by volume. The Act also gave federal agents and local entities the power to investigate and prosecute violations.
The Volstead Act stated that the manufacture, possession, transportation and use of alcohol as a beverage were forbidden:
• No person shall on or after the date when the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States goes into effect, manufacture, sell, barter, transport import, export, deliver, furnish or possess my intoxicating liquor except as authorized in this Act, and all the provisions of this Act shall be liberally construed to the end that the use of intoxicating liquor as a beverage may be prevented.
Exceptions were given in the Volstead Act for alcohol products used as sacraments in religious services:
• Liquor for nonbeverage purposes and wine for sacramental purposes may be manufactured, purchased, sold, bartered transported, imported, exported, delivered, furnished and possessed Exceptions were also given for medicinal uses:
• No one but a physician holding a permit to prescribe liquor shall issue any prescription for liquor. And no physician shall prescribe liquor unless after careful physical examination of the person for whose use such prescription is sought, or if such examination is found impracticable, then upon the best information obtainable, he in good faith believes that the use of such liquor as a medicine by such person is necessary and will afford relief to him from some known ailment. Not more than a pint of spirituous liquor to be taken internally shall be prescribed for use by the same person within any period of ten days and no prescription shall he filled more than once. Any pharmacist filling a prescription shall at the time endorse upon it over his own signature the word "canceled," together with the date when the liquor was delivered, and then make the same a part of the record that he is required to keep as herein provided
Impact of Prohibition
The manufacture, sale, distribution and use of alcohol became illegal but widespread activities during the years of Prohibition. “Speakeasies” (illicit establishments serving alcohol), homemade “stills” (distilleries) and “bootlegging” (illegal transport and sale) of alcohol became common. The “black market” for alcohol manufacture and distribution became controlled by “gangsters” or members of organized crime organizations.
End of Prohibition
Public support of Prohibition declined significantly and illicit use of alcohol was widespread. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution repealed the 18th Amendment and ended Prohibition in the United States. This was the only time in the history of the United States that an Amendment to the Constitution was repealed.
The 21st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States stated:
• The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
See also The Volstead Act
