Reaction a public thirsty for their fundamental rights
Hintz says that basically and at first, the majority of the population tended to support the law and did their best to not go against it, but their tolerance of it lessened as time went on. Some cities, such as New York, New Orleans, Detroit and Baltimore were never completely 'dry' and made little pretense of being so. While other parts of the country like, the Bible Belt, the Corn Belt, many parts of the rural west, stuck to their Prohibitionist guns.
So, in a sense, reaction was a geographic phenomenon; it was also a religious one in that Protestants tended to agree with the law while many Catholics and Jews disagreed. As well, during this period, most immigrants were opposed to Prohibition, and as they tended to settle in large cities, their increasing presence tended to keep the larger cities 'wet'.
So, in a sense, reaction was a geographic phenomenon; it was also a religious one in that Protestants tended to agree with the law while many Catholics and Jews disagreed. As well, during this period, most immigrants were opposed to Prohibition, and as they tended to settle in large cities, their increasing presence tended to keep the larger cities 'wet'.
Loopholes
There were, however, several loopholes for people to legally drink during Prohibition. For instance, the 18th Amendment did not mention the actual drinking of liquor. Since Prohibition went into effect a full year after the 18th Amendment's ratification, many people bought cases of then-legal alcohol and stored them for personal use. The Volstead Act allowed alcohol consumption if it was prescribed by a doctor. Needless to say, large numbers of new prescriptions were written for alcohol.
There were, however, several loopholes for people to legally drink during Prohibition. For instance, the 18th Amendment did not mention the actual drinking of liquor. Since Prohibition went into effect a full year after the 18th Amendment's ratification, many people bought cases of then-legal alcohol and stored them for personal use. The Volstead Act allowed alcohol consumption if it was prescribed by a doctor. Needless to say, large numbers of new prescriptions were written for alcohol.
Crime
There were several other, more illegal ways to drink during Prohibition. The "mobster" arose during this period. These people took notice of the demand for alcohol in society, saw its potential profit, and decided to do something about it. Al Capone in Chicago is one of the most famous gangsters of this era.
These gangsters would hire men to smuggle in rum from the Caribbean (Rum-runners) or hijack whiskey from Canada and bring it into the U.S. Others would buy large quantities of liquor made in homemade stills. The gangsters would then open up secret bars (speakeasies) for people to come in, drink, and socialize.
These gangsters would hire men to smuggle in rum from the Caribbean (Rum-runners) or hijack whiskey from Canada and bring it into the U.S. Others would buy large quantities of liquor made in homemade stills. The gangsters would then open up secret bars (speakeasies) for people to come in, drink, and socialize.
During this period, newly hired Prohibition agents were responsible for raiding speakeasies, finding stills, and arresting gangsters, but many of these agents were under-qualified and underpaid leading to a high rate of bribery.