The first of three parts of Ken Burns's documentary on Prohibition shows how the movement to get spirits of the liquid kind out of American life began as early as the 1840s. It is very much tied together with the movement for women's suffrage and for the abolition of slavery. Often those who advocated for one supported the others.
Of course the anti-slavery movement being older took the lead and we did fight a great Civil War to achieve that end. The others took a bit longer and as we learn here often acted in tandem.
Demon Rum was seen as the great destroyer of the American family not completely without reason. Temperance and suffrage were partners. This was also a movement of the older and rural countryside as versus the big city where immigrants flocked who worked hard at lousy jobs to get ahead and wanted that evening drink be at an Irish saloon or a German beer garden.
German-Americans with their love of beer and the brewers that made the stuff fought against Prohibition. It was a confluence of history that Germany became our enemy in World War I and people learned to hate all things German. One issue lobbying also helped pass the 18th Amendment. Many of our right wing cause lobbyists of today learned from Wayne B. Wheeler and his Anti-Saloon League.
All that helped bring about the 18th Amendment which took affect on New Year's Day of 1920.
Ken Burns shows how a very sad chapter, a most ludicrous chapter in American history begins.
Of course the anti-slavery movement being older took the lead and we did fight a great Civil War to achieve that end. The others took a bit longer and as we learn here often acted in tandem.
Demon Rum was seen as the great destroyer of the American family not completely without reason. Temperance and suffrage were partners. This was also a movement of the older and rural countryside as versus the big city where immigrants flocked who worked hard at lousy jobs to get ahead and wanted that evening drink be at an Irish saloon or a German beer garden.
German-Americans with their love of beer and the brewers that made the stuff fought against Prohibition. It was a confluence of history that Germany became our enemy in World War I and people learned to hate all things German. One issue lobbying also helped pass the 18th Amendment. Many of our right wing cause lobbyists of today learned from Wayne B. Wheeler and his Anti-Saloon League.
All that helped bring about the 18th Amendment which took affect on New Year's Day of 1920.
Ken Burns shows how a very sad chapter, a most ludicrous chapter in American history begins.
