Prohibition’s successes outweighed its failures in the years 1920–33.’ How far do you agree with thi

Prohibition’s successes outweighed its failures in the years 1920–33.’ How far do you agree with thi

1. Successes

   • Accidently promoted racial and gender equality, as women were often encouraged to come to speakeasies and black Jazz musicians were common. Led to greater acceptance
   • Helped ethnic mobility
     • Many immigrants or immigrant descendants such as Johnny Torrio and Meyer Lansky ended up far better off.
   • Reduced the average amount of Alcohol consumed from 2.6 gallons per person to one gallon by 1930
   • Fewer drunk drivers, impressive considering boom in motor manufacturing

2. failures

   • Even before prohibition in 1880 Kansas went dry. Not successful because it was possible to get a drink easily
   • Many high profile men and women continued to drink as before e.g President Harding
   • Made many people in America criminals
   • Led to the rise of Organised crime
     • Washington DC only had 300 bars before prohibition, but 700 speakeasies in the mid 20s
     • Prohibition simply handed the alcohol industry to criminals
     • Large amounts of money. Highball drink went from 15c before prohibition to $3 during it
       • The speakeasies catered to wealthy clients which worked to the detriment of many of the poor
     • Capone had an income of $60m
     • Which led to problems with immigrants because immigrants became gangsters due to connections back home
       • Men like Capone became famous. They were immigrants
   • There was a chronic underfunding in the departments responsible for enforcement. It was estimated that $5m was needed but $2m was given
   • The officer in charge of prohibition believed only 5% of Alcohol was being intercepted
   • 34 people died from Alcohol poisoning in New york
   • 10% of officers were fined for corruption