Prohibition in Virginia has a long tradition. So many residents were opposed to alcohol that they had established state-wide prohibition in 1914. This was well before the country followed suit in 1920.
There was a strong belief in the state that Prohibition would be very good. That it would lead to less crime. To better health. And to higher morality. That it would reduce violence. Increase prosperity. And protect women, children, and the family. Unfortunately, reality would prove otherwise.
Residents who chose to continue buying alcohol instantly became criminals. Those who chose to satisfy the brisk demand for alcohol were also criminals.
Illegal producers and sellers of alcohol had to bribe police and others. That, in order to operate. So it was business expense. But not a deductible one. That’s because now all profits from alcohol were illegal. This deprived the state of much-needed taxes.
As knowledge of corruption spread, respect for law declined. Drinking became an easy way to rebel. It spread quickly across college campuses.
Prohibition also promoted a dangerous drinking pattern. That’s drinking less often but much more heavily. People didn’t go to a speakeasy to drink a beer. They went to guzzle it quickly while it was available. For the first time in history, drinking became fashionable among women.
Moonshiners carelessly made their products which sometimes had lead toxins. They often added creosote was for color. Customers sometimes had paralysis, blindness or even death.
It became painfully clear that Prohibition didn’t decrease crime but increased it. Didn’t lead to better health but sometimes led to death. It didn’t raise morality but to lowered it. Didn’t protect young people but threatened their well-being.
Residents realized that Prohibition didn’t work. But worse, that it was actually counterproductive. It was worse than doing nothing. They voted by a 63 percent margin for Repeal.
Resources: Prohibition in Virginia
Web Pages
Virginia Alcohol Laws. Think you really know them?
Readings
Byrd, H. The Byrd Prohibition Plan. Richmond: VA Byrd Comm, 1932.
Hall, A.L. The Prohibition Movement in Virginia, 1826-1916. U VA.
Hawes, H.B. Prohibition Index-manual, Virginia and West Virginia. Charlottesville, VA: Michie, 1930.
Shibley, R. G. Walter Mapp: Politics and Prohibition in Virginia, 1873-1941. U VA.