Prohibition provides economists and historians with a perfect real-world example of the unintended consequences of well-meaning government policy. Banning alcohol was supposed to decrease alcohol consumption, improve health, reduce crime, improve family relations, empty the prisons, and revitalize American society. In reality it made alcohol more dangerous to consume, created black markets dominated by mobsters like Al Capone, increased crime, and made previously law-abiding citizens criminals. Prohibition was a dismal failure and offers a cautionary tale for the present: be wary about the unintended consequences of policy prescriptions.
Some questions explored in this unit are:
Who were the supporters and opponents of Prohibition?
What were some of the outcomes of the passage of the 18th Amendment?
Why was the 18th Amendment repealed?
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