I just assume that everyone is fascinated by details in history, especially those that affected social customs. With the anticipation of WF's Speakeasy event, more and more questions come to light. Some questions I have an immediate answer for...some more simple than others. There are questions, however, that beg for specific information. Nothing delights me more than to research our past to enlighten the present and inspire the future. So here's a little information surrounding the question, "When did Prohibition in the United States begin and end?"
The simple answer is between 1919 (when a ban on alcohol manufacturing, sale, and transportation was mandated by the 18th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States) and 1933 (Dec. 5, when the ratification of the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment...lifting the ban).
But, the movement behind this historic period began much earlier. The American Temperance Society formed in 1826, with the majority of membership being rural middle-class women. These women believed that alcohol was disruptive and a threat to the home and family. It wasn't long before religious leaders involved themselves...mostly protestant leaders who believed to be the moral majority. Many preachers of the period equated the sale of liquor to that of prostitution!
After the Civil War, the Prohibition party formed in 1869 followed in 1873 by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, both organizations assisted with the prohibition of alcohol through the late 19th century. But, it wasn't until 1881 that Kansas became the first state to outlaw alcohol flat out in the state's constitution. This came with the strong and radical force of Carrie Nation. She formed and led a group of Christian moralists, mostly women, called the Carrie Nation Prohibition Group. Members would enter saloons and bars to taunt owners and patrons, often singing hymns and praying loudly. This radical protesting soon fizzled out, but not before pulling down most of the southern states and influencing political leaders that ultimately led to the 18th amendment. Years later, the 21st amendment overturned the prohibition of alcohol...bringing an end to the speakeasy (which is a shame, because everyone enjoys being "bad" at least once in a while).
This is what I believe to be the beginning in the United States, in regards to prohibition. Of course, there is a ton of information that mixes with these facts. In my opinion, Prohibition began as a loosely Biblical and largely moralist movement by middle-class Christian women...I guess it just wasn't their "cup of tea".
