The bitter aftertaste of prohibition in American history

For many people, the ban reminds people of a free era in American history, colloquialism, smuggling, hooligans and thugs. But the new research shows that there are several factors besides the obvious basis that 1920 prohibits the production and sale of drunken drinks.

"They fight for alcohol, but they also fight for immigration and national identity," said Jon Grinspan, political history curator at the Smithsonian National History Museum, who appeared in two new Smithsonian Channel documentaries, "Drinking, Crime and Prohibition." Since the Prohibition Movement, Americans' efforts to ban alcohol for health and moral reasons have been growing in the middle of the19th century. Although some states and places have dried up, it was not until 19 17 that Congress passed a resolution, submitted an injunction and sent it to the states for approval. Thirty-six states need to ratify it, and 19 19 approved it. The prohibition came into effect the following year, which brought some changes to the United States, from the increase of organized crime to the continuous increase of federal police.

But as Greenspan said in the documentary, "Alcohol is not the central content of prohibition. Some people are fighting alcohol, but what they are fighting is the conflict between two civilizations in America.

This documentary believes that the Christian Abstinence League for Women (provided by Ohio Historical Contact -AL07629) with a symbol in the Seattle office is not only the enemy of alcohol, but also the enemy of European immigrants. From 1892 to 1920, nearly120,000 immigrants entered the United States through Alice Island. Greenspan said in the documentary: "To some extent, the organization around alcohol."

This is a politically correct way to chase other immigrants. "。 " It's not entirely polite to say' I want to drive all Catholics out of the United States', but it's very polite to say' alcohol is destroying society'.

"This is a major change in academia recently," said Peter, director of the American Museum of History Industry. Liburd said it was important in this series. "Many people regard the success of the Prohibition Movement as an anti-immigration experience.

Greenspan first appeared in this series. He showed an iron axe to make fun of Kelly Dunham, the leader of the long-term ban movement. She is famous for attacking bars with an axe. This axe was once hung in a prominent position in the bar, which read: "All countries are fine except Carrie."

A cast iron axe satirized Carly, the leader of long-term prohibition, who was famous for attacking bars with an axe. This axe is at the Smithsonian National Museum of History. (NMAH) Referring to American bars, Greenspan said, "We have a misunderstanding that they are divided by race. Irish people only drink with Irish people and Germans only drink with Germans. But there is a lot of confusion here, especially in 19 10, these people's

"Except Kelly, all countries are fine," he said. "People who oppose and support prohibition pursue community diversity." In fact, the ban was passed in part because it triggered an unusual alliance to organize women to continue to fight for the right to vote. In addition to anti-immigrant hate groups, there are some industrialists who don't like how bars cause drunkenness among workers and become the power center of trade unions and political parties.

For example, from the perspective of feminists, women's rights advocates and the Klan, Greenspan said: "It is really unusual to stand on the same side on this matter. "Ide anti-immigrant hate groups and industrialists don't like the way bars guide workers to drink. (Ohio History Link)

"Very strange strange bed partner," Li Baode agreed. Historians say that once the ban was issued, the Klan even began to implement it. However, the alliance of different interest groups is successful because "they try to stick to the goal of opposing drinking without getting into other problems, which will break these alliances," Liebhold said. "Politically, they are quite smart."

Wayne Wheeler, the anti-Sharon alliance, is considered to unite the forces of various groups, making this movement an unprecedented success.

Many influential supporters of this cause are industrialists. They talk about Kan Kan, a new war film led by the labor movement, and say that they are immigrants. Greenspan said that these bars "are the center of power". At that time, there were 200,000 bars in America. Greenspan said, "Now every Starbucks chain has 23 pubs." . "So, when the First World War broke out, German beer showed signs among the people of the whole country, which was such an obvious goal."

Wayne Wheeler, the main strategist of the anti-pub alliance, is considered to have integrated the strength of different groups and made the prohibition movement a success. (Smithsonian Channel) Liburd said that the anti-ban forces were not organized, partly because the brewers didn't really cooperate with the brewers.

Liburd said that once the states voted, the 18 amendment was quickly approved. "I think some people are surprised that it all happened so quickly." Suddenly, pubs, breweries and wineries all over the country have become criminal enterprises. Criminal networks are gradually expanding to accommodate their old customers. The federal * * * reaction has also increased.

Greenspan said: "This really gives federal power." . Greenspan said: "People used to think that the ban was a one-off and weird era, which was not in line with the situation at that time." But it did lead to a great expansion of federal law enforcement power.

"Before the federal prison was banned, only a small number of prisoners were held." . "With the implementation of prohibition, all these things of the FBI, the prison system and the Ministry of Justice have greatly expanded in the process."

Prohibition advocates warned that alcohol was harmful to the war. (Smithsonian Channel) The former Prohibition Bureau was established in 1920, which was the first national police force. The documentary said that because it was organized outside civil servants, it was easily influenced by corruption.

When a police lieutenant in Seattle was arrested as a smuggler after his phone was tapped, the US Supreme Court ruled in 1928 that this did not violate the rights related to unreasonable search in the Fourth Amendment-a landmark decision that led to other laws dealing with the information security of private citizens. Judge Louis D. brandeis's dissenting opinion was equally influential. He quoted the constitutional "right not to say"-this wording was used in the judgment of Roy v. Wade 45 years later.

"You saw the fundamental change of * * * because it began to control citizens' lives. "Telling them what they can and can't do is a punishment," Li Baode said.

All of a sudden, people find themselves criminals every day, and occasionally take a sip. He said: "Prohibition is widely touted by people from all walks of life." No one thinks that the rule is bad because it deprives other important laws of their power. "

During prohibition, doctors prescribe whisky; This bottle of whisky belongs to the Smithsonian Museum. In the NMAH era, industrialists changed their views on the ban and found that their workers worked more than before. In addition, the loss of alcohol consumption tax must be made up by income tax. By 1933, the suppression obviously failed to achieve the expected effect, and the 2 1 amendment was lifted.

"Everyone is surprised at the speed of its disappearance," Liburd said of the era of 65,438+03. "Seems to be a strange arrangement of stars, and then disappeared. It never happened again. This is the only one that has been abolished.

But the influence of the ban still exists, not only in organized crime and movies about Peng's generation, but also in smart cocktails invented by time freaks (documentaries provide some recipes).

Liebhold of Modern Debate said that the legalization of marijuana is only the most obvious response to the ban, adding, "I think the similarities on many issues today are really unbelievable."

Drinks, Crime and Prohibition were broadcast on the Smithsonian Channel on June 1 1 Sunday and June 18 at 8: 00 pm EST.