Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
Level 2 Joan Aoanan
1920s
“The lesson taught from the coming generation, is to make it their business to see that no matter is ever again made
the subject of the federal constitutional law.” stated Al Smith a former governor of New York, who is also an antiprohibitionist.1 The people often manipulated the rule and found loopholes in order to drink2. One example was the
increase of pharmacies throughout the country, registered pharmacists in New York tripled.3 For as long as they had
a doctor’s prescription alcohol could be sold. In addition another loophole was religion. Americans were allowed to
obtain wine for religious purposes; therefore enrollments rose at churches and synagogues.4 The prohibition of
alcohol eroded respect for religion because of the intention of receiving alcohol. The American grape industry began
selling kits of juice concentrate that could ferment into wine. 5 These loopholes lead to the disrespect of the 18 th
amendment, and the society being broken down.
“Inability of the prohibition law to enforce prohibition is causing an increase in the number of young boys and girls
who become intoxicated. During these two past years [1920-1921], there have been more intoxicated children
brought into court than ever before.” Says Judge H. C. Spicer of the juvenile court at Akron, Ohio. 6 In addition,
another account of the prohibition providing opposite effects was with Pauline Sabin who used to be for pro
prohibition. Overtime she became against it. “Mothers had believed that prohibition would eliminate the temptation
of drinking from their children’s lives, but instead children are growing up with a total lack of respect for the
Constitution and for the law. She claimed that in preprohibition days, a saloon-keeper could not sell alcohol to
minors because their license was revoked, unlike now with speakeasies7 “The Women’s Organization for National
Prohibition Reform comes to the wanting of repeal in liquor. It is no longer the question of liquor or no liquor, it is a
question of crime or no crime.” Ultimately only a small percentage of liquor distributers were arrested, even though
crime was out of hand. There were about 65,000 federal criminal actions in the first years of prohibition, this was
enough to cripple the justice system.
1970s
In the 1970s the attempt was to abolish the use of illegal drugs, the war on drugs began. Laws such as the
Rockefeller Drug Laws of New York occurred. This law provides harsh prison terms for the possession or sale of
illegal drugs.8 There were a total of 22,670 drug offenders in the New York Prison. This represented about 33% of
the total prison population. The prison rose from 13,000 to 72,000 inmates. 9 Hippies often used drugs in the 70s to
show that people are capable of doing drugs and not inflict harm to other individuals. 10 There was an increase of
drug consumption in high and middle school students often smoked drugs. 66% of people in U.S. believed that it
was a serious problem.11 There were increased riots with students about marijuana. In University District, the
students had this "anything goes environment." They despised to cops and were often rebellious, by doing drugs.
The lack of care for the police lead to an increase of danger in the campus. 12 "Education programs and laws would
prevent the young from experimenting with the drugs." Stated David Shoemazer, CBS news Washington. 13 What
actually occurred was the opposite.
1980s-1990s
This was the time of the “Just Say No.” There was an increased Anti-Drug PSA advertisements and the development
of Drug Abuse Resistance Education. However, research shows that this effort might have been counterproductive.
The ads motivated teens to rebel and increased drug use in young adults.14 In addition, the invention of crack
provided the young with a common alternative. Crack was cheaper, plentiful and really addictive. 15 Because of
crack there was an increase of gangs and crack babies.16 However, in the late 80s crime slowly decreased.17 In
addition it was around this time that the establishment of the Drug Policy Foundation was formed. This was the
opposition to the war on drugs. They wanted to end prohibition. This foundation focused more on the moral side and
ethics of taking illegal drugs.18 The wanting of legalizing drugs could correlate with the decrease of crime.
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
Current
The regulations of illegal drugs are more defined now, than before. “Around the 70s the illegal drug regulations
were broader. Now, the laws have increased, but it defines the restrictions clearly, such as the use medical
marijuana.” Said Ms. Wombold, a U.S. History Teacher.19 Although drug smuggling and gangs still occur, the crime
rates are slowly decreasing. Homicide and violent crimes are decreasing. 20This is the opposite of the 70s and 80s.
Regulation on illegal drugs is a big thing in the Mexican- United States border.21 This prevents the smuggling of
drugs. In addition, many states are capable to self-approve the use of what was once considered an illegal drug,
marijuana. Marijuana has been legalized In Colorado and Washington. Based on statistics it is estimated that the
crime rate in Washington for 2014 will be lower than in 2013. 22 This in my opinion, is the correlation of the less
prohibition of drugs with the disobedient decisions people make. However the decline of crime is not the same for
the use of illegal drugs in children. According to Dr. Johnston, a pediatrician the 1970s 1 in every 11 high school
seniors was a daily pot user. This rate is 1 in 16. 23
Conclusion (not on poster)
The connection between violence and prohibition that I have made is that a prohibition which is supposed to be a
regulate all, will not work. For example the 1920s regulated all alcohol, same went for the 1970s with drugs. That is
when crime increased the most. In these decades the crime did not go down at all. However, in the 1980s and 1990s,
as people became more understanding with drugs, and crime went down. In the 1980s people began to realize that
illegal drugs are not a crime but an addiction. Also, specific regulations on specific drugs occurred. In the early
1990s crime decreased. In my opinion it was because of the Drug Policy Foundation, they advocated for the ending
of war on drugs. In addition they looked at the drug issues morally and ethically. This foundation influenced
California’s drug laws. Now, we have a longer list of regulations on drugs. However, there is more specifications.
For example the legal use of marijuana in many places is an example of a specific rule. The crime rate in
Washington is decreasing. I feel that the legalization of marijuana portrays a part in this. States have the option to
legalize marijuana; the overall crime rate is decreasing. Therefore, with this information I have concluded that the
broader regulations are, the more crimes and violence occurs.
Era
1920s (Prohibition
of alcohol)
1970s (War on
Drugs, Rockefeller
Rules)
1980s-1990s
(Beginning of
D.A.R.E.)
Now
(More laws, but
more leniency in
drugs such as
marijuana)
Comparison of the Drug Prohibitions
Key: The similar colors per column means a similar correlation
Crime Rate
Common Types of
Affected the children
Crimes
Rapidly increases Organized crime, gangs,
The common drinking
especially in
speakeasies25
age decreased.
homicides 24
Increased amount of
highschoolers in jails
and mental hospitals26
29
Rapidly increases Riots, hippy movement,
There was an increase
especially in
in drug use for young
homicides.28
adults 30
Slow decrease 32
Organized crime, gangs33 Increase in drugs with
the young adults.
Especially cocaine. 34
Slow decrease in
specific laws36
Drug smuggling,
cultivation, gangs 37
Although it decreased
for some time, there
is not an increase of
illicit drug. But now
there is, especially in
Washington and
Colorado. However,
Affected the
adults
Made home stills
to get alcohol27
The middle class
often did the
drugs31
Increase in crack
babies (women
who take drugs
while pregnant)35
Increase in drug
abuse 39
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
arrests in jeuviniles
has been
decreasing..38
]
Crimes in 1970s
7,000,000
6,000,000
5,000,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
Violent Crime
1975
1976
1977
Burglary
1978
1979
Theft
40
Crimes in 1980s-1990s
9000000
8000000
7000000
6000000
5000000
4000000
3000000
2000000
1000000
0
1980
1984
1988
Violent
1992
Burglary
1996
Theft
41
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
Crime Statistics During Prohibition, Arrests for:
Drunkenness and Disorderly Conduct
Drunken Drivers
Thefts and Burglaries
Homicides, Assault, and Battery
Number of Federal Convicts
Federal Prison Population
Total Federal Expenditure on Penal Institutions
Percentage Growth42
41
81
9
13
561
366
1,000
Average Age of Formation Of Drinking
Habit (Years)
31.7
Years
27.9
25.8
21.4
Males
1914
20.6
Females
1920-23
Dates
23.9
1936-37
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
43
University District student
disrespecting the police
"Just Say No" represented
the PSA anti-drug
advertisements that many
teens rebelled against
44
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
45
The War on Drugs has changed throughout times, this
change correlates with people's decisions
1
Brayton, Rebecca. "Prohibition in the United States: National Ban of
Alcohol."WatchMojo.com. Mojo Supreme, 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.watchmojo.com/video/id/10517/>. Primary
2
"The 18th Amendment." University of Albany. University of Albany, 2014. Web. 22 Mar.
2014. <http://www.albany.edu/~wm731882/18th_amendment_final.html>. Primary
3
"Prohibition: Unintended Consequences." PBS. PBS, 2011. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/unintended-consequences/>.
4
Okrent, Daniel. "'Medicinal' Alcohol Made Mockery of Prohibition." Tampa Bay Times. Tampa
Bay Times, 18 May 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/medicinal-alcohol-made-mockery-ofprohibition/1095789>.
5
"Prohibition: Unintended Consequences." PBS. PBS, 2011. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/unintended-consequences/>.
6
"The National Prohibition Law." Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar.
2014. <http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/e1920/senj1926/cabellbruce.htm>. Primary
7
Kyvig, David. "Repealing National Prohibition." Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. N.p., 2014.
Web. 22 Mar. 2014. <http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/history/rnp/RNP7.html>. Primary
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
8
"Responsible Drug Information." Rockefeller Drug Laws Information Sheet. N.p., 2014. Web.
24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.prdi.org/rocklawfact.html>.
9
"How the Rockefeller Drug Laws Changed America." North Country Public Radio. N.p., n.d.
Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21316/20130124/howthe-rockefeller-drug-laws-changed-america>.
10
"Hippie Background: The 60s/70s + Drug Culture." Sharing the Hippie Love. N.p., 2014.
Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://sharingthehippielove.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/hippie-backgroundthe-60s70s-drug-culture/>.
11
Robison, Jennifer. "Decades of Drug Use: Data From the '60s and '70s." Gallup. N.p., 2014.
Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.gallup.com/poll/6331/decades-drug-use-data-from-60s70s.aspx>. Primary
12
"The 1970 Riots." University District History. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://univdistcol.com/riots7.html>.
13
"Nixon Enlists Governor's Aid in the War on Drugs." YouTube. YouTube, 24 Feb. 2009. Web.
24 Mar. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJgmyihzFG8>.
14
News, NPR. "Anti-Drug PSAs: Do They Work?" NPR. NPR, 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.npr.org/2013/04/28/179658317/anti-drug-psas-do-they-work>.
15
"Timeline: America's War on Drugs." NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9252490>.
16
"Decades of Drug Use: The '80s and '90s." Gallup. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.gallup.com/poll/6352/decades-drug-use-80s-90s.aspx>.
17
"Organized Crime and Prohibition." Albany University. University of Albany, 2014. Web. 23
Mar. 2014. <http://www.albany.edu/~wm731882/organized_crime1_final.html>.
18
"A Brief History of the Drug War." Drug Policy Alliance. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.drugpolicy.org/new-solutions-drug-policy/brief-history-drug-war>.
19
"Talking with Ms. Wombold." Personal interview. 25 Mar. 2014.
20
"U.S. Violent Crime Down for Fifth Straight Year." CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Oct. 2012.
Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/29/justice/us-violent-crime/>.
21
"Illegal Drugs Flow over and under U.S. Border." NBC News. N.p., 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.nbcnews.com/id/33433955/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/illegal-drugs-flowover-under-us-border/#.UzI4I_ldUuc>. Primary
22
"Washington Crime Statistics and Rates Report (WA)." City Rating. N.p., 2014. Web. 25 Mar.
2014. <http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/washington/#.UzG0rfldUuc>.
23
"Daily Marijuana Use in Teens Highest Since the 1970s." Medscape Log In. Med Scape,
2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/734288>. Primary
24
"Organized Crime and Prohibition." Albany University. University of Albany, 2014. Web. 23
Mar. 2014. <http://www.albany.edu/~wm731882/organized_crime1_final.html>. Primary
25
Accumulation of sources
26
"History of Alcohol Prohibition*." Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Mar.
2014. <http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/nc/nc2a.htm>. Primary
27
"Prohibition: Unintended Consequences." PBS. PBS, 2011. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/unintended-consequences/>.
28
"United States Crime Rates 1960 - 2012." Disaster Center. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm>
29
Accumulation of sources
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
30
"Daily Marijuana Use in Teens Highest Since the 1970s." Medscape Log In. Med Scape, 2014.
Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/734288>. Primary
31
"Drug War Hstory." The House I Live In Drug War History Comments. N.p., 2014. Web. 25
Mar. 2014. <http://www.thehouseilivein.org/get-involved/drug-war-history/>.
32
"United States Crime Rates 1960 - 2012." Disaster Center. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm
33
"Decades of Drug Use: The '80s and '90s." Gallup. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.gallup.com/poll/6352/decades-drug-use-80s-90s.aspx>.
34
"Decades of Drug Use: The '80s and '90s." Gallup. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.gallup.com/poll/6352/decades-drug-use-80s-90s.aspx>.
35
"Decades of Drug Use: The '80s and '90s." Gallup. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.gallup.com/poll/6352/decades-drug-use-80s-90s.aspx>.
36
"United States Crime Rates 1960 - 2012." Disaster Center. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm
37
Multiple sources
38
"Drug Law Violations and Enforcement." Bureau of Justice Statistics Drugs and Crime Facts.
N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bjs.gov/content/dcf/enforce.cfm>.
39
Accumulation of sources
40
"United States Crime Rates 1960 - 2012." Disaster Center. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm
41
"United States Crime Rates 1960 - 2012." Disaster Center. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm
42
"Organized Crime and Prohibition." Albany University. University of Albany, 2014. Web. 23
Mar. 2014. <http://www.albany.edu/~wm731882/organized_crime1_final.html>.
43 Person Yelling at Officer. N.d. Politics World Wide. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://politicsworldwide.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/brixton-riots.jpg>.
44Just
Say No. N.d. Montana Truth Seekers. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://montanatruthseekers.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/justsayno2.gif>.
45 War Against Drugs. N.d. Straight Fresh. 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://straightfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/191-0203071130-drug-war.jpg>.
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
Works Cited
Primary "The 18th Amendment." University of Albany. University of Albany, 2014. Web. 22
Mar. 2014. <http://www.albany.edu/~wm731882/18th_amendment_final.html>.
"A Brief History of the Drug War." Drug Policy Alliance. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.drugpolicy.org/new-solutions-drug-policy/brief-history-drug-war>.
Primary Brayton, Rebecca. "Prohibition in the United States: National Ban of
Alcohol." WatchMojo.com. Mojo Supreme, 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.watchmojo.com/video/id/10517/>.
Primary “Daily Marijuana Use in Teens Highest Since the 1970s." Medscape Log In. Med Scape, 2014.
Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/734288>.
"Decades of Drug Use: The '80s and '90s." Gallup. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.gallup.com/poll/6352/decades-drug-use-80s-90s.aspx>.
"Decades of Drug Use: The '80s and '90s." Gallup. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.gallup.com/poll/6352/decades-drug-use-80s-90s.aspx>.
"Drug Law Violations and Enforcement." Bureau of Justice Statistics Drugs and Crime Facts. N.p.,
2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bjs.gov/content/dcf/enforce.cfm>.
"Drug War Istory." The House I Live In Drug War History Comments. N.p., 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.thehouseilivein.org/get-involved/drug-war-history/>.
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
"Hippie Background: The 60s/70s + Drug Culture." Sharing the Hippie Love. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar.
2014. <http://sharingthehippielove.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/hippie-background-the-60s70sdrug-culture/>.
Primary "History of Alcohol Prohibition*." Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Mar.
2014. <http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/nc/nc2a.htm>.
"How the Rockefeller Drug Laws Changed America." North Country Public Radio. N.p., n.d. Web. 24
Mar. 2014. <http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21316/20130124/how-therockefeller-drug-laws-changed-america>.
Primary "Illegal Drugs Flow over and under U.S. Border." NBC News. N.p., 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.nbcnews.com/id/33433955/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/illegal-drugs-flowover-under-us-border/#.UzI4I_ldUuc>.
Just Say No. N.d. Montana Truth Seekers. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://montanatruthseekers.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/justsayno2.gif>.
Primary Kyvig, David. "Repealing National Prohibition." Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. N.p., 2014.
Web. 22 Mar. 2014. <http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/history/rnp/RNP7.html>.
Primary "The National Prohibition Law." Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar.
2014. <http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/e1920/senj1926/cabellbruce.htm>.
News, NPR. "Anti-Drug PSAs: Do They Work?" NPR. NPR, 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.npr.org/2013/04/28/179658317/anti-drug-psas-do-they-work>.
"Nixon Enlists Governor's Aid in the War on Drugs." YouTube. YouTube, 24 Feb. 2009. Web. 24 Mar.
2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJgmyihzFG8>.
Okrent, Daniel. "'Medicinal' Alcohol Made Mockery of Prohibition." Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Bay
Times, 18 May 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
"Organized Crime and Prohibition." Albany University. University of Albany, 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.albany.edu/~wm731882/organized_crime1_final.html>.
Person Yelling at Officer. N.d. Politics World Wide. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://politicsworldwide.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/brixton-riots.jpg>.
"Prohibition: Unintended Consequences." PBS. PBS, 2011. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/unintended-consequences/>.
"Responsible Drug Information." Rockefeller Drug Laws Information Sheet. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar.
2014. <http://www.prdi.org/rocklawfact.html>.
Primary Robison, Jennifer. "Decades of Drug Use: Data From the '60s and '70s." Gallup. N.p., 2014.
Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.gallup.com/poll/6331/decades-drug-use-data-from-60s70s.aspx>.
"Talking with Mrs. Wombold." Personal interview. 25 Mar. 2014.
"Timeline: America's War on Drugs." NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9252490>.
"United States Crime Rates 1960 - 2012." Disaster Center. N.p., 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm>.
"University District History." The 1970 Riots. N.p., 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
<http://univdistcol.com/riots7.html>.
"U.S. Violent Crime Down for Fifth Straight Year." CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Oct. 2012. Web. 24
Mar. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/29/justice/us-violent-crime/>.
War Against Drugs. N.d. Straight Fresh. 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://straightfresh.net/wpcontent/uploads/2012/05/191-0203071130-drug-war.jpg>.
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
"Washington Crime Statistics and Rates Report (WA)." City Rating. N.p., 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/washington/#.UzG0rfldUuc>.
"What Are the Pros & Cons of Transgenic Crops." The Maize of Full Length CDNA Project. CDna
Project, 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. <http://www.maizecdna.org/outreach/tpe.html>.
What I had before editing my topic
A closed bottle leads to a broken society; The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
“The lesson taught from the coming generation, is to make it their business to see that no matter
is ever again made the subject of the federal constitutional law.45” stated Al Smith a former
governor of New York, who is also an anti-prohibitionist. The majority of the common people
agreed to this statement believing that they should have a right to regulating their own alcohol.
The people often manipulated the rule and found loopholes. These loopholes lead to the
disrespect of the 18th amendment, and the society being broken to the point where the common
people increasingly disregarded the regulations. One example was the increase of pharmacies
throughout the country. Bootleggers quickly discovered that running a pharmacy was perfect for
the trade. Registered pharmacist in New York tripled during the prohibition era.45 To acquire a
liquor prescription, one needed to pay the doctor about $3 ($40 today).45 These doctors, gained
profit for themselves, and abused their medical license. In addition another loophole was
religion. Americans were allowed to obtain wine for religious purposes; therefore enrollments
rose at churches and synagogues. Cities saw a large increase in the number of self-professed
rabbis who could obtain wine for their congregations.45 The prohibition of alcohol eroded respect
for religion. The people signed up for a religion that they do not believe in, or they are passionate
about; they did it just to get alcohol. Aside from the prohibitionist often being part of a religious
sect, God and the Bible were often used to justify prohibition. As prohibition failed. It seemed as
though the failure was God’s. 45 Aside from joining religions, people made their own alcohol at
home. The amendment did not have any restrictions in consuming alcohol.45 The American
grape industry began selling kits of juice concentrate that could ferment into wine.45 Alcohol was
made from redistilled industrial alcohol; later on the government was forced to poison it to
prevent production. 45 This caused about 1,000 deaths per year.45 Instructions for distilling could
be found in public libraries in pamphlets issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 45 With
the ingredients and a purchased home still from a hardware store, one can make the alcoholic
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
beverage. The making of homemade alcohol was so common, that many minors could
relentlessly have access to it. In the beginning of 1920 a still was found on the farm of Senator
Morris Shepard, the author of the 18th amendment. It produced 130 gallons of whiskey a day.45
The hypocrisy of federal officials drinking alcohol increased the disrespect of the rules.
A driving motive for the prohibition was the benefit for the children. However, in the years of
the 18th amendment, this prohibition showed that in fact what really occurred was the complete
opposite. “Inability of the prohibition law to enforce prohibition is causing an increase in the
number of young boys and girls who become intoxicated. During these two past years [19201921], there have been more intoxicated children brought into court than ever before.” Says
Judge H. C. Spicer of the juvenile court at Akron, Ohio. 45 In addition, another account of the
prohibition providing opposite effects was with Pauline Sabin who used to be for pro prohibition.
She believed it used to be beneficial for her sons, a utopia for her children. Overtime, her first
cautious public criticism of prohibition came in 1926 with the hypocrisy of politicians. She felt
that the rise of bootleggers frightened her more than anything. “Mothers had believed that
prohibition would eliminate the temptation of drinking from their children’s lives, but instead
children are growing up with a total lack of respect for the Constitution and for the law.” Later
on, she became completely against prohibition and complained to the house Judiciary
Committee. She claimed that in preprohibition days, mothers had little fear in regard to the
saloon. A saloon-keeper’s license was revoked if caught selling liquor to minors. 45 At the
prohibition time, any speakeasy in the U.S. had boys and girls in their teens drinking liquor. In
fact as time went on, the average age at formation of a drinking habit decreased. This decrease in
age showed to be a detriment to society because of a larger percentage of young patients during
Prohibition. "During the past year (1926), an unusually large group of patients who are of high
school age were admitted for alcoholic psychosis." Stated by Mr. Brown a superintendent of a
hospital.45
In addition to disobedient decisions, crime was a large factor in the 1920s. Adela Rogers St.
Johns, a nationally known writer of the 1920s stated “The Women’s Organization for National
Prohibition Reform comes to the wanting of repeal in liquor. It is no longer the question of liquor
or no liquor, it is a question of crime or no crime.” The crime rates during the roaring twenties
increased rapidly throughout the decade.45 Ultimately only a small percentage of liquor
distributers were arrested. There were about 65,000 federal criminal actions in the first years of
prohibition, this was enough to cripple the justice system. Prisons were crowded. If a liquor
distributer did end up in trial the juries were filled with anti-prohibitionists, often only about 60%
of cases ended with a conviction.45 This rise of crime with the common people frightened the
society and was the opposite of what was expected. With the increase of overall crimes, there
was also a great increase in organized crime with mafias and gangsters. The prohibition fueled
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
gangsters to distribute and illegally sell the alcohol. A popular gangster was Al Capone. Al
Capone operated many speakeasies. He was able to gain $60 million annually from alcohol.45 He
also often paid police officers and prohibition agents to go into bootlegging themselves. 45 Aside
from money being sold in the black market, there was an increase of homicides because of
gangsters. Rival gangs led by Capone and George Moran turned the city streets into a war zone
with their gangland clashes. An example of an event was the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre were
seven people were shot dead and soon led to Moran giving up. 45
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
Per Capita Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages
Homicide Rate
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
Thesis: Connections between violence and prohibition: The disobedient decisions people made with
prohibition
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