One of the many reasons of opposition to Prohibition was because of religious reasons. Eliza Thompson began the crusade based off of her religious beliefs. Religion was the dominant opposing force during Prohibition. In 1893, when the rise of Prohibition began, in Oberlin, Ohio, the anti-saloon league was born. Led by protestant ministers, it became the most effective political pressure group in history. Temperance organizations used every method in an attempt to persuade the public to support their cause. Most organizations utilized moral arguments to pull “heart strings” and play with the public’s emotions (_) The Pro-prohibition movements grew, especially after the Anti-Saloon league was created in 1893. Other organizations like the Women's Christian Temperance Union helped establish an unwavering support movement for this cause. Because the saloon owners were hard-pressed to earn money because of the loss of profits due to the inability to sell alcohol anymore, many of the saloons resulted to gambling and prostitution in hopes to earn some what of a profit. Many people began to see saloons as corrupt and a source of violence, which helped the Prohibition movement. They used the angle of violence due to alcohol and the negative downsides, which are rarely portrayed, to demonstrate the reality of alcohol.(_)
Address to Congress
Below is President Warren G. Harding's address to Congress in 1922 which acknowledges the primary problems associated with Prohibition, while also reaffirming his belief and support for Prohibition...
"There is a demand for every living being in the United States to respect and abide by the laws of the Republic. [Applause.] Let men who are rending the moral fiber of the Republic through easy contempt for the prohibition law, because they think it restricts their personal liberty, remember that they set the example and breed a contempt for law which will ultimately destroy the Republic. [Applause.]
Constitutional prohibition has been adopted by the Nation. It is the supreme law of the land. In plain speaking, there are conditions relating to its enforcement which savor of nationwide scandal. It is the most demoralizing factor in our public life.
Most of our people assumed that the adoption of the eighteenth amendment meant the elimination of the question from our politics. On the contrary, it has been so intensified as an issue that many voters are disposed to make all political decisions with reference to this single question. It is distracting the public mind and prejudicing the judgment of the electorate.
The day is unlikely to come when the eighteenth amendment will be repealed. The fact may as well be recognized and our course adapted accordingly. If the statutory provisions for its enforcement are contrary to deliberate public opinion, which I do not believe, the rigorous and literal enforcement will concentrate public attention on any requisite modification. [Applause.] Such a course conforms with the law and saves the humiliation of the Government and the humiliation of our people before the world, and challenges the destructive forces engaged in widespread violation, official corruption, and individual demoralization.
The eighteenth amendment involves the concurrent authority of State and Federal Governments for the enforcement of the policy it defines. A certain lack of definiteness, through division of responsibility, is thus introduced. In order to bring about a full understanding of duties and responsibilities as thus distributed, I purpose to invite the governors of the States and Territories, at an early opportunity, to a conference with the Federal Executive authority. Out of the full and free considerations which will thus be possible, it is confidently believed, will emerge a more adequate comprehension of the whole problem and definite policies of National and State cooperation in administering the laws."
"There is a demand for every living being in the United States to respect and abide by the laws of the Republic. [Applause.] Let men who are rending the moral fiber of the Republic through easy contempt for the prohibition law, because they think it restricts their personal liberty, remember that they set the example and breed a contempt for law which will ultimately destroy the Republic. [Applause.]
Constitutional prohibition has been adopted by the Nation. It is the supreme law of the land. In plain speaking, there are conditions relating to its enforcement which savor of nationwide scandal. It is the most demoralizing factor in our public life.
Most of our people assumed that the adoption of the eighteenth amendment meant the elimination of the question from our politics. On the contrary, it has been so intensified as an issue that many voters are disposed to make all political decisions with reference to this single question. It is distracting the public mind and prejudicing the judgment of the electorate.
The day is unlikely to come when the eighteenth amendment will be repealed. The fact may as well be recognized and our course adapted accordingly. If the statutory provisions for its enforcement are contrary to deliberate public opinion, which I do not believe, the rigorous and literal enforcement will concentrate public attention on any requisite modification. [Applause.] Such a course conforms with the law and saves the humiliation of the Government and the humiliation of our people before the world, and challenges the destructive forces engaged in widespread violation, official corruption, and individual demoralization.
The eighteenth amendment involves the concurrent authority of State and Federal Governments for the enforcement of the policy it defines. A certain lack of definiteness, through division of responsibility, is thus introduced. In order to bring about a full understanding of duties and responsibilities as thus distributed, I purpose to invite the governors of the States and Territories, at an early opportunity, to a conference with the Federal Executive authority. Out of the full and free considerations which will thus be possible, it is confidently believed, will emerge a more adequate comprehension of the whole problem and definite policies of National and State cooperation in administering the laws."
The President's important declaration to Congress progressed a movement which encouraged the support of Prohibition. Since the President supported Prohibition, some of the public began to be persuaded by his thoughts and ideas. Harding gave this speech early in the 1920s, meaning that this started the movement of pro-Prohibition and the rise of these leagues and organizations.