Browse Exhibits (1 total)

When viewing the items for themes of what prohibitionists wanted to portray, one is very visible and easy to see. The worry of family and how alcohol affects the everyday American household is prominent. They used many images of absent fathers drinking at saloons instead of providing for and caring for their children. Disappointed children waited for their fathers to come home and spend time with them. Wives struggled with abuse due to their husbands' substance use. Money was spent at saloons instead of on family necessities, pushing families into poverty. Prohibitionists even claimed alcoholism would pass down to children. They also claimed many physical and mental deformities were alcohol's fault. These scenarios of families being destroyed were the best tools prohibitionists had. Most of their supporters were women pushing for societal change.

This was their most pressing issue because their main supporters were women. These women suffered the effects of alcohol in their homes. Women gained more voting power in different states at this time. They also gained the right to vote federally in 1920. That year, Prohibition became an amendment. Being dry also became a moral issue. Most people did not want to associate with behaviors that harmed society. This was also the sphere of influence supposedly belonging to women. Getting rid of alcohol would allow women to regain control of their households.