It's worth looking at first-generation prohibition through the proper historical lens: it was a womens' issue, largely a proxy for addressing domestic violence

It's worth looking at first-generation prohibition through the proper historical lens: it was a womens' issue, largely a proxy for addressing domestic violence and unemployment as a result of untreated alcoholism in men (this was before AA). Prohibition may be immoral and/or counter-productive, but to those who have experienced the worst elements of alcoholism (personally or societally), the drive to outlaw it is at least understandable, whether or not it is irrational. I strongly recommend Ken Burns' documentary series on the subject: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition