Prohibition: A Very Short Introduction

W. J. Rorabaugh delves into a transformative period in American history marked by the enactment of Prohibition, a national movement that sought to curb alcohol consumption. During this era, from 1920 to 1933, the United States experienced a profound cultural shift as taverns closed their doors and bootleggers took to the shadows. Rorabaugh illuminates how this legislative experiment not only altered drinking habits but also spurred the rise of organized crime and illicit trade, fundamentally changing American society.

As he explores the social consequences and political debates surrounding this contentious policy, Rorabaugh captures the paradox of a country that both revered its drinking traditions while simultaneously embracing a ban. The narrative weaves through the motivations behind Prohibition, the impact it had on everyday life, and the eventual repeal, offering readers a succinct yet insightful examination of a particularly turbulent chapter in the American experience.