Stuff You Should Know Prohibition: Turns Out That America Loves to Drink
Nov 9, 2010
Learn about the fascinating history of Prohibition in America, including the reasons for its enactment and the rise of illegal speakeasies. Discover the impact of World War I on Prohibition and the exceptions to the rule. Explore the economic consequences of Prohibition, such as alcohol trafficking and the loss of tax revenue. Uncover the effects of alcohol prohibition in America and the parallels with the marijuana movement. Delve into the repeal of Prohibition and its impact on drinking cultures in Europe. Finally, hear about the consequences of vodka consumption in Russia and listener stories about the podcast's influence.
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Black Market Explosion
- Prohibition massively expanded illegal alcohol markets, speakeasies, and home brewing.
- Estimates show bars doubled and about 100,000 people brewed alcohol at home.
Big Bills Revealed Big Crime
- Demand for $10,000 bills spiked in 1926 as bootlegging and large cash transactions soared.
- Big bills signaled huge underground cash flows and practical needs for large, discrete payments.
Enforcement Became Ineffective
- Enforcement often failed: New York made thousands of arrests but secured very few convictions.
- By 1925 several states effectively stopped investigating Prohibition cases.