80 years ago today, on December 5, 1933, the 18th Amendment of the United States Constitution was repealed, officially bringing the 14-year long Prohibition to an end.
A movement originated by the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement, the 18th Amendment first went into effect on January 16th, 1919. Thus, to sell, import, transport, or produce alcohol became a crime. Before the Prohibition, the drinking “culture” of the country was quite different. A beer with lunch, a few drinks after work, and a nightcap before bed all in one day was not only socially acceptable, but the norm. This, paired with the alcohol consumption of often ostracized immigrants were frequently attacked by the Temperance movement. Many such immigrants found their livelihood through entrepreneurship in the industry as early as the 19th century. Most notable among them are Frederick Miller, Valentin Blatz, Eberhard Anheuser, the brother-in-law of Adolphus Busch, Frederick Pabst, Joseph Schlitz, and Berhnard Stroh. (Don’t those names ring a bell?) Immigrant-run businesses were often vandalized or targeted during the Prohibition.
While the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement believed a dry America would mean a country with less domestic violence, poverty, illness, and other social issues, their efforts proved misguided.
Just because America was dry, didn’t mean America wasn’t thirsty.
It didn’t take long for bootleggers to illegally import beer and spirits from abroad. Organized crime became rampant and the power of these crime organization networks quickly encroached official government lines. Corruption amongst government officials grew (something I, a Chicago native, know a thing or two about) all as a consequence of the 18th Amendment.
With new troubles arising instead of fixing the old, the 18th Amendment was repealed.
While it may seem like an excuse to drink and be boisterous, there also exists a complex history touching immigration, corruption, crime, religion, protest, and civic participation leading to change.
Therefore it’s not just a drinking holiday, but an essentially American one when you think about it. Cheers!
TRAVEL LOVER, HISTORY NERD 