2.3 Prohibition: Cause and Consequence sources

Causes of Prohibition

Long-Term Causes

1. Spreading Awareness About Alcohol's Harm: Liquor was seen as dangerous, leading to addiction, domestic violence, and societal misery. (EV 2.4)

2. Uneven Implementation: Different provinces implemented and repealed prohibition at different times, creating disparities. Example: Quebec only had prohibition for one year. (EV 2.5)

3. Religious and Cultural Influence: Encouraging people to abstain from alcohol as a moral duty and part of religious devotion. (EV 2.8)

4. Liquor Sellers vs. Professional Medicine: Emphasizing that liquor sellers are not doctors and alcohol is not medicine. (EV 2.10)

5. Resistance and Crime: Highlighting the rise of smuggling and criminal activities due to prohibition. (EV 2.11)

Short-Term Causes

1. Fear and Shame: Prohibition sought to instill fear of alcohol and shame in those consumed by it. (EV 2.7)

2. Inter-Provincial Tensions: The varying lengths and timing of prohibition led to frustration and resentment between provinces. (EV 2.5)

3. Religious Guilt: Using religion to shame people into abstinence, leveraging moral pressure to stop drinking. (EV 2.8)

4. Economic Incentive: Reducing harm caused by alcohol to the body and families as an immediate social priority. (EV 2.7)

5. Immediate Regulation Need: Smuggling and secret consumption indicated an urgent need for regulation rather than outright bans. (EV 2.12)

Consequences of Prohibition

Intended Consequences

1. Reducing Alcohol Consumption: To curb drinking and its associated harms. (EV 2.4)

2. Demonstrating Alcohol’s Dangers: Educating the public on its physical, emotional, and societal damage. (EV 2.6)

3. Protecting Families: Preventing physical and emotional harm to loved ones caused by alcoholism. (EV 2.7)

4. Encouraging Abstinence: Proving that abstinence was achievable and promoting self-control. (EV 2.13)

5. Religious and Moral Improvement: Persuading people to abstain in the name of God to lead better lives. (EV 2.8)

Unintended Consequences

1. Overemphasis on Alcohol as a Sole Cause: Misleading people to believe alcohol alone caused societal issues like poverty, ignoring broader socioeconomic factors. (EV 2.4)

2. Economic Fallout: Liquor stores, especially in PEI, remained closed, leading to job losses and financial hardships for families. (EV 2.5)

3. Post-Prohibition Overindulgence: Some individuals consumed excessively when alcohol became legal again, leading to sickness. (EV 2.5)

4. Criminal Activity: Smuggling and organized crime thrived due to the high demand for illegal alcohol. (EV 2.11)

5. Cultural and Indigenous Impact: Traditional practices involving alcohol were vilified, creating cultural tensions. (EV 2.8)

6. Increased Secrecy: Alcohol consumption continued in secret, leading to the development of underground networks. Example: tunnels in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, smuggling alcohol to Chicago. (EV 2.13)

7. Delayed Treatment for Alcoholism: The prohibition approach delayed progress in addressing the root causes of alcoholism and providing effective treatments. (EV 2.9)

Examples and Evidence

1. Posters and Propaganda: Used by prohibitionists to spread fear and shame, emphasizing the damage alcohol caused to families and society. (EV 2.6)

2. Religion as a Tool: Sermons and moral campaigns depicted alcohol as a "demon" and drinking as sinful. (EV 2.8)

3. Economic Consequences: Job losses from liquor store closures and long-term financial struggles for families. (EV 2.5)

4. Smuggling and Organized Crime: Highlighting the criminal opportunities created by prohibition. (EV 2.12)

5. Government Control Proposal: Advocating for government-regulated alcohol sales as an alternative to prohibition. (EV 2.7)

6. Cultural Resistance: Examples of communities finding ways to maintain traditional practices involving alcohol despite bans. (EV 2.8)

Summary

Prohibition in Canada was driven by a mix of long-term cultural and moral goals and short-term efforts to reduce harm and instill fear. While it achieved some intended consequences, such as raising awareness of alcohol's dangers, it also led to numerous unintended consequences, including economic hardship, criminal activity, and cultural resistance. Ultimately, the challenges of enforcing prohibition demonstrated the complexity of addressing alcohol-related issues through blanket bans, paving the way for regulated sales and government control.