No Prohibition in The States In The 20s.

Whenever this comes up, people often fail to realize how the continued production and sale of alcoholic beverages would affect the country financially.

Excise taxes on alcohol were a major revenue source that was largely replaced by income taxation. If we're to imagine that prohibition doesn't get passed, it's still easy to see compromises occurring with prohibitionists such that those taxes are raised even higher.

Either way, the extra money means income taxes could come down a lot faster in the 1920s, surpluses would be much larger, or some combination of the two. A lot of the states would also be able to continue relying on alcohol excises as well, which probably improves their finances through the decade considerably.

No prohibition also means Federal law enforcement would remain far more limited in scope, especially as organized crime would look much more like a localized problem where it occurred.
 
The organised crime element is a big one. Weaker organised crime networks would likely lead to them being severely reduced in influence earlier. That could have a knock on effect in terms of no protection money demanded from small business owners, and we could see more economic growth as a result. We'd also likely see Italian Americans integrated into mainstream American society faster.
 
I wonder what effect this would have on the Suffrage movement. There's also the issue of the German Lobby and WWI.
 
Though increased levels of alcohol consumption compared to OTL may mean some negative public health effects.

It also means the prohibition movement remains a viable force--their idea has not been tried and found wanting.
 

mowque

Banned
You'd have more complex and harsh state liquor laws. PA's laws might be more common place, ie a state run monopoly. Down South you'll see lots of dry laws for long periods of time.

You will also see a far greater number of American breweries and alcohol companies. More variety.

You'll have a vastly different pub/bar culture. Probably more political and saloon like. Recall in Europe lots of politics happened in places were people drank. Beer Hall Putsch.

Others, will think on it.
 
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