Wet in the Dry Law
- Washington, D.C., February 20, 1933. U.S. Senate, Franklin D. Just five days after the assassination attempt on the new Democratic President Roosevelt, he decided to repeal what was known as the Dry Law, fourteen years after the passage of that law prohibiting alcohol. In those years the Democrats were called “wet” and the Republicans were “dry”. It was the first step taken by the Leos in their recent election victory, but more would follow. In fact, despite the flagrant affair of alcohol, behind it was the grave economic situation and the double morality of the Republicans. The Dry Law exacerbated the problems and then, 75 years ago, they began to realize the real consequences of the ban.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
On the one hand, the Dry Law further affected the country’s economic situation: smuggling led to an uncontrolled loss of foreign exchange. At the same time, the U.S. alcohol industry fell apart. Taxes on the sale of alcohol were a promising source of income for the government, but the law also closed that source.
Alcohol consumption was not reduced as required by law. Fewer low-alcohol drinks were consumed, but liquors increased dramatically because selling illegally was much more profitable. During the prohibition period, Americans drank 460 million liters of wine per year, with high-grade alcohol
reaching 800 million liters. In the past, the poorest and richest people drank alcohol. According to the Dry Law, alcohol entered the middle class strongly. In clandestine bars, young people became accustomed to drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. by John M. According to historian Cooper, “for young nonconformists, drinking was not just a pastime, but a cultural challenge. The ironic and blatant disdain of prohibition in much of American society was basic for anyone who considered
themselves sophisticated.” The controversial law encouraged clandestine distillation, and poisonous alcohol spread here and there. In the fourteen years in which the law was in force, poisonous alcohol caused 30,000 deaths and caused incurable harm to 100,000 people. These numbers are official, but the real numbers are believed to be much higher.
Finally, a new type of crime arose in relation to the production and sale of alcohol. Between gangs and during clashes with police officers, more than 50,000 people were killed. The organized gangs raised immense power and capital during those years, and when they abandoned the law, they decided not to ignore the pagotxari muchacho and diversify: from then on they dedicated themselves to smuggling, prostitution, gambling and other drugs.
The Dry Law, therefore, did not solve any problems. On the contrary, he sprayed the corners more; with alcohol and blood.
Alcohol consumption was not reduced as required by law. Fewer low-alcohol drinks were consumed, but liquors increased dramatically because selling illegally was much more profitable. During the prohibition period, Americans drank 460 million liters of wine per year, with high-grade alcohol
reaching 800 million liters. In the past, the poorest and richest people drank alcohol. According to the Dry Law, alcohol entered the middle class strongly. In clandestine bars, young people became accustomed to drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. by John M. According to historian Cooper, “for young nonconformists, drinking was not just a pastime, but a cultural challenge. The ironic and blatant disdain of prohibition in much of American society was basic for anyone who considered
themselves sophisticated.” The controversial law encouraged clandestine distillation, and poisonous alcohol spread here and there. In the fourteen years in which the law was in force, poisonous alcohol caused 30,000 deaths and caused incurable harm to 100,000 people. These numbers are official, but the real numbers are believed to be much higher.
Finally, a new type of crime arose in relation to the production and sale of alcohol. Between gangs and during clashes with police officers, more than 50,000 people were killed. The organized gangs raised immense power and capital during those years, and when they abandoned the law, they decided not to ignore the pagotxari muchacho and diversify: from then on they dedicated themselves to smuggling, prostitution, gambling and other drugs.
The Dry Law, therefore, did not solve any problems. On the contrary, he sprayed the corners more; with alcohol and blood.