Singing the Beer Barrel Polka: American Drinking Patterns and Reform

American drinking patterns prior to the 1840's were extreme by 20th century standards. This made the issue of temperance a prime target for reform movements. Two patterns of thinking about reform are apparent in the years leading up to and following the enactment of the Volstead act. The first is that reformers were able to get the force of law behind them because extremists and sensational stories made their proposals seem palatable, necessary and moderate. The second is an approach that has been identified with American evangelicalism called “voluntary absolutism.” This argues that moral rules are absolute and should be adhered to by all but that they should also be voluntary and not forced. This pattern ultimately makes coercive legal reform untenable. Among the supporters of Prohibition one side wanted the involuntary coercion of legal power to be brought to bear on the offenders, the other side were caught in the more ambiguous approach of “voluntary absolutists.” This paper describes the losing battle that “voluntary absolutists” such as the authors of the Princeton Review fought with the more radical proponents of Prohibition among their fellow evangelicals. Ironically the coercive reformers victory in getting the 18th Amendment passed spelled their ultimate downfall. The limits of legal reform were shown by public support of the repeal of the 18th Amendment. While many legal restrictions remained, the wisdom of “voluntary absolutism” was upheld in the choice of individuals to consume alcoholic beverages.