In 1919, the US adopted the prohibition law that banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of certain alcoholic beverages that had become the source of immorality. The prohibition was a result of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, which advocate for moderation or complete abstinence from the consumption of alcohol. Their efforts were compounded by the Anti-Saloon League that called for the prohibition of alcoholic products at the local, state, and federal levels. Woman suffragists and industrialists added their voice as they blamed alcohol for ruining the family units and workers efficiency respectively. While the efforts of the groups shaped the prohibition history It is important to point to focus on distinct people whose actions influenced the prohibition history.
People whose Actions Influenced the Prohibition History
Alphonse Al Capone
Al Capone is another distinct people that influenced the prohibition history, as he was a prominent bootlegger who smuggled and supplied alcoholic products. He was so brutal in his illegal trade that the rival gangsters would not bring him down. His vast wealth secured his protection from the authorities as he could afford to put the city's mayor as well as the law enforcement officers on his payroll (Burns and Novick, 2011). In short, Capone was fuelling the prohibition law as he was doing the exact opposite of what the law stipulated. However, he was convicted in 1932 for tax evasion just a year before the prohibition law was suspended.
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Mary Hanchett Hunt
Mary Hanchett Hunt influenced the prohibition history in her capacity as the head of Women Christian Temperance Union's "Department of Scientific Temperance Instruction. She was insistent on the fact that the public school system was the best avenue to train young boys and girls on the dangers of alcoholism. Mary lobbied for anti-alcohol indoctrination in schools well as the need for textbook publishers to conform to the union's message on anti-alcoholism (Burns and Novick, 2011b). Her efforts saw 22 million students go through the temperance classes at least thrice per week.
Isidor Einstein and Moe Smith
Isidor Einstein and Moe Smith played a significant role when it came to making sure that the prohibition law took root. The two were prohibition officers who had been recruited to help enforce the law, which was expected to affect the alcoholic beverages manufacturer, suppliers, and consumers. The two officers were renowned for their ability to use different disguises to first individuals who were thought to go against the prohibition law. According to George (2015), It is estimated that the duo who were unarmed during the raids managed to make over 4,900 arrests 95 percent of which ended in convictions.
References
Burns, K., & Novick, L. (2011a). Prohibition. PBS . Retrieved on 21 September 2019 from http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/
Burns, K., & Novick, L. (2011b). Alphonse Capone . PBS . Retrieved on 21 September 2019 from http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/media_detail/2085881883-capone/
George, E. (2015). The Jazz Age and the Great Depression. New York: Cavendish Square.
