I think that the most important factor that led to the repeal prohibition in 1933 was the lack of public support for the law.

If the vast majority of people had supported prohibition and had not drunk, then there would have been no market for organised crime to make huge amounts money from.

The gangsters then would not have been able to bribe the authorities which would lead to less problems enforcing to law. Also if almost everyone has supported prohibition then hardly any policing would have been needed as hardly anyone would have been drinking alcohol.

Also one of the main incentives for the government to legalise alcohol was the increased tax revenue. If the public have had supported prohibition there would not have been as much tax revenue to be gained from legalising alcohol.

Therefore politicians like Roosevelt wouldn’t have necessarily supported reform as less of the public would have been in favour of reform and the government wouldn’t have gained as much tax revenue from legalising alcohol.

What do you think was the most important factor leading up to prohibition repeal?