The Alcohol Prohibition, so-called “The Noble Experiment” by President Hoover, was
implemented throughout the Federal Union from January 1920 until March 1933. These
thirteen years saw the apogee of a powerful political movement, which started in the late
17th century. By the end of the 19th century, this movement was behind the shutdown of
saloons, the implementation of local temperance laws, then the 1920’s Prohibition of
alcohol on a national scale.
1. “From Alcohol Prohibition to Regulation”
Guillaume Fournier, Researcher, SEDET a CNRS and University of Paris 7 - Denis Diderot
Social Sciences Research Laboratory
July 2002
Table of contents
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 2
1. LOBBYING FORCES ............................................................................................. 3
1.1 The Temperance Stirrings ................................................................................. 3
1.2 The Alcohol Industry........................................................................................ 6
2. A SOCIAL AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT .................................................................... 7
2.1 A Health Assessment ....................................................................................... 7
2.2 A Social and Criminal Assessment ........................