Prohibition in the 1920s-1930s free essay sample

Prohibition failed in Canada because of the citizen’s disregard for the new law, bootlegging and for the difficulties in keeping this law. First, prohibition failed in Canada because of the complete disregard for the law shown by Canadian citizens. Before prohibition was introduced drinking was a common thing especially for men. But after law of prohibition was made official many avid drinkers ignored the law and were coming up with creative ways to still consume alcohol. One of these ways was through illegal drinking establishments known as speakeasies. Another thing that showed Canadians’ disregard for the law of prohibition was that people were getting so desperate for alcohol that they would begin to lie about becoming ill so that they could buy alcohol with the prescription of a doctor. This was widely abused during times like the Christmas Holidays. Lastly, Canadian citizens would smuggle alcohol from distillers over to the United States in exchange for money. We will write a custom essay sample on Prohibition in the 1920s-1930s or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Smugglers and bootleggers made a fortune. The law of Prohibition also failed in Canada because of the massive amounts of bootlegging after Prohibition was put into affect. Prohibition was supposed to lower crime and corruption, reduce social problems, lower taxes to support prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene. Instead, alcohol became more dangerous to consume; organized crime blossomed; courts and prison systems overloaded; and endemic corruption of police and public officials occurred. After the illegal act of bootlegging was introduced the business of booze exploded. Liquor bought from distillers in Canada was smuggled across the border and into the United States. Once bootlegging began, it quickly spiraled out of control. Alcohol was being bought and sold illegally everywhere and by the mid 1920’s vessels in Nova Scotia were specifically built for rum running and were now making regular trips from St. Pierre to various rendez-vous points off the U. S coast. Finally, prohibition failed in Canada during the 1920’s-1930’s because it was simply a very hard law to keep. One of the biggest reasons why it was so hard to keep under control was because of the dangerous alternatives that people were turning to due to the now illegal alcohol of alcohol. Prohibition led many drinkers to switch to opium, marijuana, patent medicines, cocaine and other dangerous substances that they would have been unlikely to encounter in the absence of prohibition. Prohibition was also a hard law to maintain because organized crime was first introduced during the Prohibition era. It started when six masked robbers stole 100,000 dollars worth of various beers, wines and gins from a boxcar. After this even occurred, the gangsters realized that alcohol had become a profitable commodity. In addition, prohibition was a hard law to keep because of the falling tax revenues causing the government to spend more. Prohibition removed a significant source of tax revenue and greatly increased government spending. In conclusion, Prohibition failed in Canada during the 1920’s-1930’s because Canadian citizens disregard for the law which resulted in the opening of speakeasies, the massive amounts of bootlegging that were taking place and the fact that it was simply just too hard of a law to maintain.