In 1920, which population group was more likely to support national prohibition on the sale of alcohol?

• A. Catholics
• B. Immigrants
• C. Urban residents
• D. Members of the working class

Answer: (A)

Prohibition in 1920 reflected a broad wave of moral reform tied to religious and community leadership. Catholic communities, often organized through parishes and tied to family-centered values, frequently supported temperance as a way to protect families, reduce crime, and promote social order in neighborhoods where drinking was seen as a threat to welfare. This aligns them more with the reform-minded stance behind national prohibition. In contrast, immigrant groups frequently preserved traditional drinking customs, urban areas housed a mix of views with many opposing bans, and the working class often viewed alcohol as a social staple or economic issue, making them less likely to back a nationwide prohibition. So, Catholic communities fit best with the era’s reform-driven push for a nationwide ban.