Thesis: The Prohibition had large negative effects on the social economics of America that far outweighed the positive effects.
While the motives and ideals behind Prohibition were noble, it was an extreme failure and was only able to achieve one of its original set goals. Those who proposed the act thoroughly believed- or were deluded into presuming- that by banning alcohol in the United States, a long list of social woes would be rectified. They argued that by ridding America of alcohol, domestic abuse, crime, moral corruption, and poverty would end. This theory was untrue; however, they did manage to end to the excess intake of professionally manufactured liquor in American citizens. Frank Salamone, an American historian, reported that drinking was reduced "from 2.6 gallons (10 L) per person to 0.97 gallons (4 L) after prohibition" (Salamone). This does show an overall change in the habits of the American populous; therefore, the Prohibitionists, those who endorsed and supported the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1920, did achieve their initial goal of mannerism reform.
Ironically enough, despite trying to decrease the "mannerism" of crime, Prohibition actually led to an increase in crime and corruption. By making liquor illegal, the American government inadvertently gave criminals a new branch of goods to monopolize on. Men, such as Al Capone and Nucky Thompson, were able to build and thrive upon international bootlegging empires. These bootleggers were easily able to buy legal immunity due to the "corruption among those trusted to enforce Prohibition. Law officers were known to participate in the acts of drinking and for a quarter of a million were quick to look the other way" (Lerner). Essentially, alcohol was permanent in America, regardless of the law. If the implements of the law- the police- were so effortlessly swayed, no man nor woman would be deterred.
