The War on Alcohol: Prohibition and the Rise of the American State, by Lisa McGirr

Name
History
Professor
01 July 2019
The War on Alcohol: Prohibition and the Rise of the American State
By Lisa Mcgirr
Introduction
This paper focuses on the question how the prohibition of alcohol lead to the prohibition of illicit drugs in the United States. How does this help the United States build a “penal state,” as McGirr argues? This article serves as an overview of the significant lessons of moral values written by Mcgirr that has a tremendous effects not only on the political state of America but as well as the health of its people. Mcgirr was motivated to write this book on the premise that it will improve the health of the Americans. However, looking deeper into her principles, the book also discussed major conflicting problems that affect the political, social, and religious concepts surrounding the definition of Prohibition. One of which is how the prohibition to alcohol gave rise to a series of government projects in fighting drugs and incarcerating all those who oppose the law. Theme: The act of prohibition of alcohol became the centrifugal force that led to the enactment of more policies that enable the punishment of dangerous drug crimes and a more rigid imposition of the laws. Mixed reactions opposed and supported this drastic move by the government and not everyone was happy mostly the corporations, companies and manufacturers of alcohols. Accordingly, Mcgirr stated in her book that the Prohibition started a concerted effort and movement that worked into fighting crimes with the State turning out into becoming an interventionist but performed poorly in terms of the social welfare of the people (Lisa McGirr, 2016).
Definition of the Prohibition and the Volstead Act Leading to the Prohibition of Illicit Drugs
In addition, the author placed emphasis on the fact that the Prohibition paved a way to the New Policy Agreement Innovations as the American government continued looking for ways to solve the social and economic dilemma of the land. Accordingly, most people have concluded that the Prohibition was not successful enough since Americans never stopped drinking even when the Eighteenth Amendment has been ratified alongside the enforcement of the Volstead Act. It was in the 20th Century when the Prohibition has been enacted through the Volstead Act.
Main C. (2009) gave a gist of the definition of Volstead Act, which Congressed passed and included the definition of intoxicating liquor as to light beer as well. In addition, the 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture, distribution and even importation of intoxicating liquors. To further strengthen the rule of law, the police and military of different federal and state governments were given concurring jurisdiction. As soon as the law was started, the effect was speedy and immediate. The number of alcohol connected deaths were lessened, the statistics of the sicknesses and illnesses known to be related to alcohol and the numerous alcohol related arrests lowered upon the enforcement of these laws. By reason of the Prohibition, about a huge percentage of distilleries shut down and lost their businesses. The decision to enforced said prohibition became a priority when the illegal status of the liquor distribution and selling beca...