Cheers and Jeers: Alcohol in America
From: BackStory with the American History Guys
Series: BackStory with the American History Guys: Full Episodes
Length: 54:00
December 5th marks the 79th anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal. In retrospect, Prohibition can seem like a colossal waste of resources. But at the time, there were plenty of Americans who believed in the project wholeheartedly. In fact, for them it was the culmination of almost a century’s worth of anti-alcohol activism.
In this episode of BackStory , the American History Guys explore the twists and turns of our country’s relationship with alcohol. From the founding era through the temperance movement, Prohibition, and beyond, they look at when and why drinking has ebbed and flowed.
Guests Include:
- Sarah Hand Meachum , Associate Professor of History at Virginia Commonwealth University
- James Morone , Professor of Political Science and Urban Studies, Brown University
- Peter Mancall , Professor of History and Anthropology, University of Southern California
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Piece Description
December 5th marks the 79th anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal. In retrospect, Prohibition can seem like a colossal waste of resources. But at the time, there were plenty of Americans who believed in the project wholeheartedly. In fact, for them it was the culmination of almost a century’s worth of anti-alcohol activism.
In this episode of BackStory , the American History Guys explore the twists and turns of our country’s relationship with alcohol. From the founding era through the temperance movement, Prohibition, and beyond, they look at when and why drinking has ebbed and flowed.
Guests Include:
- Sarah Hand Meachum , Associate Professor of History at Virginia Commonwealth University
- James Morone , Professor of Political Science and Urban Studies, Brown University
- Peter Mancall , Professor of History and Anthropology, University of Southern California
Timing and Cues
SHOW RUNDOWN
06:00 – 19:00 SEG A
IC: Major production support for Backstory is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
OC: You’re listening to BackStory. We’ll be back in a minute.
6:00 - 13:49 Rumming with the Devil
After a perusal of Benjamin Franklin’s Drinker’s Dictionary, Peter talks with historian Sarah Hand Meacham about how the drink of choice in revolutionary America switched from cider to rum.
13:50 – 19:00 As Dry As a Nun’s Gusset?
The History Guys riff on why the temperance movement caught on and flourished.
19:00 – 20:00 STATION BREAK 1 (MUSIC BED)
20:00 – 39:00 SEG B
IC: This is BackStory…
OC: We’ll be right back.
20:00 – 31:56 Dried Up
Brian and Peter chat with political scientist James Morone about how nativism and racism shaped the national movement towards Prohibiton.
31:57 – 38:59 Liquid Poison
Historian Peter Mancall talks with Ed about American Indians and the tumult in their cultures precipitated by the arrival of alcohol.
39:00 – 40:00 STATION BREAK 2 (MUSIC BED)
40:00 – 59:00 SEG C
IC: We’re back with BackStory
OC: …for the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
40:00 – 57:31 Listener Calls
Peter, Ed, and Brian take listener calls.
57:32 – 59:00 PRODUCTION/FUNDING CREDITS
***********************************************************************
Contact: Producer, Tony Field (434) 924-8922, tfield@virginia.edu
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