Prohibition in Franklin County, Missouri
This article was published months before prohibition laws were passed. It urged citizens of Missouri to vote against the laws banning alcohol. This article, written by the Citizens’ Committee, listed many reason why the passing of these laws would be detrimental to the Missouri economy and society. The authors claim that the brewing of beer and the production of other alcohol is keeping the economy running and providing revenue and jobs for Americans. Prohibition threatens one’s liberty and freedom of choices. The article even called prohibition “un-American” and “undemocratic”. “America, A Multi-Ethnic Nation” which was published on PBS.org provides an insight into how much prohibition affected working class citizens. Although alcoholism was a huge problem during this decade, most citizens, especially immigrants did not drink to get drunk. They saw drinking as a form of socialization and a way to form a sense of community. Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company was a vital part of Missouri’s culture and economy. Prohibition also shut down one of the largest wineries in the nation at the time, Stone Hill. In the article, “A Century Ago: Prohibition in Missouri” the author discusses the affects of banning the sale and production of alcoholic beverages. Although prohibition laws were originally put in place to help combat crime, these laws almost had the reverse effect. Speakeasies began to pop up underground and became a popular spot for gangsters and mobsters to conduct their business. Bootlegging became very common, along with the production of liquor that was made in secret. Crime became common and cities such as St.Louis and Kansas City became stomping grounds for infamous gangs. As you can see, prohibition had great effects on the country, but especially on places that replied on alcohol as a stream of revenue. So many Missourians and immigrants spoke out against these laws because they felt like they were going to lose the sense of community they had built up in this new country. They saw drinking as a form of socialization and a way to express their freedom in a country that promised them this right.
