LibGuides: Primary Sources: The 1920s

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-04T23:39:19.015Z • Permanent link

Rumors of a nationwide ban on the sale of liquor had been circulating for months, but it wasn't until the passage of the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution on January 16, 1919, that the Prohibition era officially began. The law, ratified by the required 36 states, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors, effectively shutting down the lucrative industry. Prohibition advocates, led by figures such as Wayne Wheeler and Herbert Fisher, had long campaigned for the ban, citing concerns over social ills like crime and public drunkenness.

Revolutions in industry and society were afoot, and Prohibition marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of American culture. The 1920s would see the rise of speakeasies, bootlegging, and organized crime, as the black market for liquor thrived. The notorious gangsters of the era, including Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, made headlines with their brazen exploits. Meanwhile, the government and law enforcement agencies struggled to enforce the ban, leading to a cat-and-mouse game that would shape the course of American history.

New York City, a hub of financial and cultural activity, was a hotbed of Prohibition activity. The city's notorious "tearooms" and "blind pigs" catered to the thirsty and the desperate, while the likes of Meyer Lansky and Arnold Rothstein made fortunes from the illicit trade. As the nation's capital, Washington D.C. was also a focal point for Prohibition efforts, with figures like Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer leading the charge against the liquor industry.

Tens of thousands of jobs were lost as the Prohibition industry came to a grinding halt, with many small businesses and entrepreneurs forced to shut their doors. The economic impact was significant, with estimates suggesting that the industry generated over $11 billion in annual revenue before Prohibition. The loss of revenue also had a ripple effect on the broader economy, with many companies and industries affected by the decline in consumer spending.

Research communities and institutions were also impacted by Prohibition, as the ban led to a significant decline in scientific research and public health initiatives related to liquor consumption. The loss of revenue from liquor taxes also meant that many public health programs and services were severely curtailed, leading to a decline in public health outcomes. Companies that had invested heavily in the liquor industry, such as breweries and distilleries, saw their assets and revenue plummet, leading to widespread bankruptcies and job losses.

Prohibition was not an isolated event, but rather part of a larger cultural and historical context. The post-World War I era saw a growing disillusionment with traditional social norms and values, as well as a rise in consumer culture and mass media. The Harlem Renaissance, which took place during the 1920s, was a significant cultural phenomenon that reflected the changing social and artistic landscape of the era. The rise of jazz and blues music, which was often associated with the Prohibition era, also reflected the growing influence of African American culture on American society.