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was repealed 13 years later by the 21st Amendment, which authorized it.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
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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