Political:
The Eighteenth Amendment passed in 1919 and the Volstead Act passed a year later both prohibited alcohol (the production of it). Though successfully passed, the federal authorities had never enforced these laws when the majority of the American populace were hostile to it. The sale of alcohol may have been prohibited, but this never stopped many people from enjoying them in their private lives.
Social:
Prohibition was very much supported by people in the West and South. In the South, white supremacists were against having alcohol for fear of African American people getting drunk and lashing out against the former slave owners. In the West, or more accurately the Midwest, wanted alcohol to be gone due to the Women's Christian Temperance Union. As a result of prohibition, many people decided to make homemade liquor. Thus, moonshine was created in the South and "Bathtub Gin" in the North. Also, mafia activities and the number of people in the mafia had increased greatly due to the money being made to make and distribute illegal liquor.
Economic:
Largely, the effect of prohibition was negative because of a decline in people going to amusement parks, restaurants, sources of entertainment, and theaters. Because of this, much of the money that was being put into these places was dramatically reduced. At the same time, prohibition also cause a great decrease in the revenue of states. With some states having had a tax on liquor, the banishment of alcoholic beverages caused many states to lose money in government revenue. However, bank savings did increase during the prohibition era.
The Eighteenth Amendment passed in 1919 and the Volstead Act passed a year later both prohibited alcohol (the production of it). Though successfully passed, the federal authorities had never enforced these laws when the majority of the American populace were hostile to it. The sale of alcohol may have been prohibited, but this never stopped many people from enjoying them in their private lives.
Social:
Prohibition was very much supported by people in the West and South. In the South, white supremacists were against having alcohol for fear of African American people getting drunk and lashing out against the former slave owners. In the West, or more accurately the Midwest, wanted alcohol to be gone due to the Women's Christian Temperance Union. As a result of prohibition, many people decided to make homemade liquor. Thus, moonshine was created in the South and "Bathtub Gin" in the North. Also, mafia activities and the number of people in the mafia had increased greatly due to the money being made to make and distribute illegal liquor.
Economic:
Largely, the effect of prohibition was negative because of a decline in people going to amusement parks, restaurants, sources of entertainment, and theaters. Because of this, much of the money that was being put into these places was dramatically reduced. At the same time, prohibition also cause a great decrease in the revenue of states. With some states having had a tax on liquor, the banishment of alcoholic beverages caused many states to lose money in government revenue. However, bank savings did increase during the prohibition era.