Prohibition Party

Prohibition Party, political organization in the United States advocating the enactment of legislation outlawing the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor. It was founded by delegates from 20 states in Chicago in September 1869 and is one of the oldest so-called third parties of the nation. Candidates initially were entered in a number of state electoral contests. In 1872 the Prohibition Party participated for the first time in a presidential election, receiving only about 5600 votes. Thereafter it nominated candidates in each presidential election. The party polled its highest vote, 264,133, in the presidential election of 1892; John Bidwell, a former congressman, was the candidate.

The party scored a moral victory on January 16, 1919, when the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating beverages in interstate commerce. Conversely, the party suffered a defeat in 1933, when the 18th Amendment was repealed by ratification of the 21st Amendment.

The Prohibition Party continues to run candidates for the presidency, but it no longer attracts any significant support.

See Prohibition; Temperance.