Why Did the 1920s Prohibition on Alcohol Fail?

Imagine living in a country where enjoying a drink at a bar could land you in jail. That was the reality in America during the Prohibition Era. Starting in 1919, the Temperance Movement achieved its goal—a federal ban on alcohol—only to see the policy collapse by 1933.

Why did Prohibition fail? In short, it’s because telling people what to do with their personal habits rarely works. The 1920s experiment in banning alcohol is a prime example. Instead of promoting temperance, it fueled organized crime, hurt the economy, and damaged public health.

Setting the Scene: When Did Prohibition Take Place?

Whether you call it the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age, the 1920s in America were filled with postwar energy. The "Age of Prohibition" evokes images of fringed dresses, bob haircuts, stylish hats, fast cars, and secret passwords to enter hidden speakeasies.

Prohibition was a short-lived government attempt to ban alcohol sales. Despite the goal to "purify" society from "Demon Rum," the results were the opposite: crime rates soared, illegal bars replaced legal ones, and anyone wanting a drink could still get one.

The ban didn’t suppress the era’s rebellious spirit. Women pushed for greater independence and self-expression. It was also the time of the Teapot Dome scandal, which exposed government corruption involving oil tycoons, politicians, illegal liquor sales, and bribery.

But why did Prohibition happen? And why did this grand experiment in public morality fail? Let’s explore the history.

Why Did Prohibition Happen?

Prohibition resulted from the Temperance Movement and anti-alcohol sentiment brewing since America’s early days. By the late 1800s, the movement gained enough momentum to achieve its goals.

• The Temperance Movement Picks Up Speed: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, activists condemned alcohol on religious grounds. After 1900, the Protestant Anti-Saloon League drove the movement forward. Opposition from "wet" groups (like Catholics and German Lutherans) held strong until World War I, when grain was prioritized for food.
• The 18th Amendment Passes: The U.S. Senate proposed the 18th Amendment on December 18, 1917. After approval from 36 states, it was ratified on January 16, 1919. A year later, the entire country went dry.
• The Volstead Act Provides Legal Framework: Despite President Woodrow Wilson’s opposition, Congress passed the Volstead Act on October 28, 1919. This National Prohibition Act banned alcohol sales, defined "intoxicating liquors," and set penalties for violations.
• Booze Goes Underground: The new laws didn’t stop people from drinking. Instead, a black market emerged, with bootleggers supplying illegal liquor and speakeasies serving eager customers. Unregulated alcohol led to safety risks and health issues, as highlighted by headlines like "Poisons That Lurk in the Bootleg Booze" from Popular Science Monthly in 1925.

Prohibition lasted 13 years—from 1920 to 1933—until it was repealed by the 21st Amendment. This remains the only time in U.S. history that one amendment has been repealed by another.

Why Did Prohibition Fail?

Looking back, Prohibition was doomed from the start. Here’s a closer look at the reasons for its failure.

1. Social, Psychological, and Health Reasons

Instead of eliminating the liquor industry, Prohibition drove it underground with dangerous consequences. Bootleggers’ careless production led to thousands of deaths from tainted alcohol. Speakeasies and bootlegging also enabled organized crime to flourish, with infamous gangsters like Al Capone rising to power.

2. Economic Reasons

The closure of breweries, distilleries, and bars had severe economic impacts. As documented in Ken Burns’ PBS program on Prohibition, thousands of jobs were lost—from brewers to waiters, barrel makers, and truck drivers. Some businesses adapted by producing malt sugar or soft drinks, but the overall economic toll was heavy. The government lost an estimated $11 billion in tax revenue while spending $300 million to enforce the policy.

3. Legal and Political Reasons

Enforcing Prohibition laws proved far harder than expected. Loopholes allowed pharmacists to sell alcohol for "medicinal" purposes, and ingredients for homemade "bathtub gin" were readily available. Widespread public defiance and corruption undermined the law’s effectiveness.

The End of Prohibition

The final blow to Prohibition came with the Great Depression. As the nation focused on economic recovery, support for the ban faded, paving the way for the 21st Amendment in 1933.

The Next Chapter in U.S. Alcohol History

While the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition, alcohol wasn’t immediately welcomed everywhere. North and South Carolina rejected the amendment, and eight states didn’t vote. Mississippi maintained its own version of Prohibition until 1966.

Prohibition, Public Health, and Recovery

Did Prohibition completely fail? Not everyone agrees. Some public health studies suggest that partial prohibitions can offer benefits, while others argue that Prohibition overlooked the importance of individual motivation in reducing alcohol consumption. Most people resented government overreach into personal habits, leading them to defy the ban.

Advice for Cutting Back or Quitting

Prohibition shows that forced abstinence doesn’t work. Lasting change comes from within. Here are some tips for mindful drinking:

• Be Mindful of Your Drinking Patterns: Track when and why you drink without judgment. Awareness is the first step toward change.
• Find Your "Why": Identify personal reasons for cutting back, such as improving health, saving money, or building authentic connections.
• Set Specific Goals: Decide how much you’ll drink ahead of time and stick to it. Share your goals with a friend or use an app like Quitemate to log drinks and track habits.
• Reach Out to Your Support Team: Connect with friends, family, or online communities for encouragement. Quitemate’s forum offers 24/7 support.
• Find Other Ways to Have Fun: Engage in activities like dancing or socializing that naturally boost dopamine and serotonin—no alcohol needed.

Summing Up

As Abraham Lincoln said about Illinois’ alcohol ban in the 1840s, "Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes ... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."

Let’s view our own alcohol journeys as choices—not restrictions. You can have just as much fun as the flappers of the 1920s, completely booze-free!