United States had banned the consumption, production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages as a response to social issues like domestic violence and child abandonment. Alcohol was presumed as the cause of these social issues. This prohibition took place from the year 1920 to 1933.
Alcohol prohibition in the United States of America was one of the moves that was rooted in the Temperance movement. The Temperance Movement was a social and political campaign that aimed to minimize or prohibit the consumption of alcohol as it was presumed to be the root cause of several social issues.
The Temperance Movement began in the early 19th century and it aimed to stop the consumption of alcohol. During the Temperance Movement alcohol was blamed for the increase in social issues like domestic violence and child abandonment.
The Cold-Water Army was an American temperance organization for children that was founded in 1839. It was part of the Temperance Movement. The name “Cold-Water Army” indicated the group’s commitment of drinking only water and opposing alcohol. They protested against 3 lakh liquor shops.
By the year 1830, the appeal of moderation in the consumption of alcoholic beverages turned into calls for abstinence. The Cold-Water Army advocates pledged to prohibit not only the consumption of alcohol but also hard cider, beer, wine, and even stimulants like coffee and tea.
The Cold-Water Army being the part of the Temperance Movement, played a significant role in shaping public opinion. They targeted children as children could create a cultural shift that would make alcohol unacceptable in society.
Children who joined the Cold Water Army were asked to take a pledge of total abstinence from alcohol which meant that these children will never consume alcohol in their lives. The pledge was written in a simple and easy language so that the young children could also understand and commit to the pledge. This movement used a lot of different methods in order to engage the children. The methods included parades, songs, and public declarations of their commitment.
However, the movement ended in the year 1933 because of the unintentional consequences of prohibition such as an increase in organised crime. This eventually led to the repeal of the movement.