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Prohibition
The anti-alcohol movement had a long and rich history in North America. In
the United States, the Prohibition movement had successfully pushed for the banning
of alcohol and by the mid-19th century, 13 states were dry. In Canada, the battle
against the Demon Rum had always been less vociferous, but the Great War added
momentum to the debate and the Prohibition forces were quick to take advantage
of the social fervor engendered by the conflict.
In Canada, the “Ban the Bar” forces used the war as leverage in their
fight against strong drink. Alcohol in various forms was needed for the war and
wheat was needed to feed the troops. What rationale, argued the anti-booze forces,
could there be for wasting these resources to make whiskey? Perhaps ironically,
the Canadian Forces were supplied with a daily ration of rum (double before a
battle), and this practice continued throughout the war, despite the movement
at home.
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The call to patriotism and morality won the day. Through 1915 and 1916, every
province except Quebec voted to prohibit the retail sale of alcohol. In 1918,
the federal government went a step further and halted the manufacture, importation
and sale of alcohol. Canadians openly flouted the law and many fortunes were
made selling alcohol to
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Police arresting a
man
With Probation in force, arrests for alcohol possession
were common. |
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