This is a short history of the struggles for alcohol prohibition in the United States. Prior to the early 19th century strong drink was regarded as good if not medicinal. (Most houses had no central heating.) Women and children drank at home, men drank at work and in social gatherings (p.9). Industrial capitalism changed the economic fortunes of artisans and laborers, and there was an increase in drinking binges (p.10). The temperance movement started to grow from the 1830s on, as science discovered the bad effects of alcohol. So far it was just a personal choice, like styles in clothes. By the late 19th century effort began to control this choice by force of law. The newly powerful class of economic aristocrats decided to abolish alcoholic drinks. Since they would need to pass new laws, they decided on a "divide and conquer" strategy. Little by little, laws were passed to limit choices. As soon as one restriction was passed, they went on to advocate new restrictions. You can see something similar today in the prohibition of smoking. Laws are passed every few years, or taxes are raised. The end results becoming clear. Another example is the activities of Gun Prohibitionists.

The Anti-Saloon League, created in 1895, spearheaded Prohibition. Rather than attack the drinker, they attacked the saloons where beer was sold. [Gun Prohibitionists attack gun stores and gun shows rather than gun owners.] The ASL asked their members to support the candidate, not the party. [Gun Prohibitionists operate in the shadows, and can influence officials better that way.] There were few women members in the ASL. [Gun Prohibitionists often feature women in leadership roles, even if the money men keep out of sight.] Control of the ASL remained in the hands of professional staffs. [Gun Prohibitionists use professional liars from advertising, public relations, and such.] The ASL ran on money donated by millionaires, and other donors. [Gun Prohibitionists are funded by front groups for millionaires, such as the Joyce Foundation or Open Society Institute. One millionaire created the Million Mom March, Inc; his withdrawal of funds ended it.]

Chapter 7 provides a seminar on influencing laws. Supporters were asked to write personal letters rather than sign petitions (p.1210. The ASL promised low taxes, peaceful politics, and a booming economy. [Gun Prohibitionists also make promises.] The ASL made use of democratic innovations such as initiative and referendum, and primary elections to advance their goals, yet tried to block their use against prohibitionists! The ASL wanted home rule where they could win, but banned it where they would lose (p.123)!

There are two things unmentioned (or unmentionable) in this book. First, the creation of public water supplies provided a safe alternative to beer (the historic remedy against polluted water). Second, the prohibition of alcohol provided a steady support to newly created organized crime (which still depends on local funding). Industrial capitalism needed criminal gangs to do its work in subjugating and exploiting wage earners. Were they needed to to the job that lawyers couldn't do?

This book examines the American history of politics and temperance during the 19th and early 20th century. In the late 18th century the local tavern was a meeting place for resistance and revolution, and became a symbol of freedom and egalitarianism. Whiskey and brandy were considered healthful or medicinal from Puritan times (p.7). In the early 19th century treating voters to drinks suggested sociability, equality, and the principle that the purpose of government was to help citizens. Others would say it was an attempt to corrupt or manipulate voters. Increased alcohol consumption was often followed by family violence and public disorder. Consumption between 1800 and 1830 was more than double from today. This led to treating alcohol as a social problem to be solved by temperance: drinking beer, cider, or wine, not distilled liquors. Men drank at work or in taverns, women and children at home. The spirit of progress and improvement, along with temperance, began in the 1830s. The religious revival emphasized the perfectibility of mankind, and the need to abolish wickedness. Temperance became the standard for middle class behavior (p.31). Alcohol consumption dropped to its lowest in the century in 1845. Efforts began to prohibit the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages (Maine 1851), but these were repealed or ignored by 1860.

The factory system resulted in a permanent class of wage laborers who could never own their own shop, and this frustration was followed by more drinking (p.10). Increased alcohol use was followed by tavern and street riots (p.12). Science found that alcohol was not good, whether in whiskey or beer. This refuted the long-held beliefs from olden times, and was used to support attempts to restrict or ban alcohol.

The economic problems of the 1870s and later marked the formation of the WCTU and the Prohibition Party. But some believed that poverty and hopelessness bred alcohol dependency, not the reverse (p.71). (Could this explain obesity today?) Most saloons were tied to breweries to provide outlets for what was now a big business (p.94). (Like gasoline stations today?) Many offered a free lunch with a nickel beer, often better or cheaper than in restaurants (p.104).

Prohibition in America came about from the Anti-Saloon League founded in 1895. It was the first modern professional lobby composed of salaried employees supported by donations from the public, and millionaires (pp.113-4). Chapter 6 explains how this was done. Chapter 7 describes the background lobbying used to bring about prohibition as needed for the war effort. Prohibition would result in order, efficiency, and alertness (p.149); it would win the war and create prosperity too. Here's how the trick was done: the 18th Amendment banned the sale and manufacture of "intoxicating beverages"; many thought this only applied to whiskey and brandy. Afterwards the Volstead Act was passed to set the standard at 0.5% alcohol, which now applied to beer and wine as well! Instead of peace and prosperity, the 1920s had crime, violence, and then the Depression. Chapter 8 tells of the problems of prohibition, and how it was repealed almost as quickly as it was enacted. Some say it was a "noble experiment", as if ordinary Americans were laboratory rats to be tested by social engineers. This book is important as a short history. Are the same lobbying tricks being repeated today?