A-Infos (en) France, Monde Libertaire - History Pages No. 93: Banning Alcohol (ca, de, fr, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

On January 16, 1920, the American legislature decided to ban the 
production or sale of alcohol. This text, known as the 18th Amendment, 
was repealed 13 years later by the 21st Amendment, which authorized it. 
These 14 years of prohibition provided a considerable source of 
inspiration for cinematic and literary imaginations, but the book raises 
other questions about the prohibition of alcohol and its social 
consequences, as well as about the groups that led these demands for 
prohibition. Through this book, the author delves into another American 
history.
Since the 19th century, whiskey in particular has wreaked havoc on 
American society: social and domestic violence, poverty, unemployment, 
racism, etc. Initially, several leagues were formed to limit the use of 
alcohol to prevent the increase in its consumption, which fostered the 
development of these forms of poverty. The logic is rather progressive: 
to stem a scourge that is corrupting society.

Alcohol consumption, as portrayed in the imagination, is a source of 
violence, as the epic scenes of Westerns are a representation of. It was 
further fueled by the Civil War, which increased its consumption. 
Starting in the 1870s, feminist groups and groups for equality with 
African Americans launched campaigns to limit its consumption. Annick 
Foucrier points out that Jack London, in John Barleycorn, makes the 
fight against alcoholism a social struggle. The hero of the story sinks 
into decline, having lost this fight and becoming a victim. It is for 
these reasons that, rather than educating, social reformers decide to 
ban it.

This is where the catastrophe begins. If the sale and production of 
alcohol are banned. Parallel structures, controlled by unscrupulous 
bosses close to the mafia and proponents of the law of the jungle, took 
control of its production and distribution. Obviously, this development 
came at the expense of the most destitute and helpless. The fight for 
prohibition shifted sides; it became a totem for the guardians of moral 
order. The reversal took place, with former supporters of its ban 
becoming in favor of its limitation, taking into account the importance 
of education and medicine in limiting and weaning the sick.

Initially championed by this camp, prohibition was strongly opposed by 
these same groups some fifteen years later. Even though the law had some 
positive effects, such as the closure of saloons, which became places 
where violence was produced and relatively improved the health of some 
Americans, the author delivers a fascinating study that leads us to 
consider the advantages and disadvantages of prohibitions.

Prohibition. Ban for a Better America
Annick Foucrier
Armand Colin, 2025, 266 pp. EUR23.90

https://monde-libertaire.fr/?articlen=8443
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