Dry vs. Wet Debate
By the early 20th century the alcohol industry in America was the 5th largest in the nation. Yet there was an intense debate raging over whether the consumption of alcohol should be legal in the U.S. There were major groups formed on both sides of this issue. The "Drys" wanted to ban alcohol and included organizations such as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and the Anti-Saloon League (ASL). On the opposing side were the “Wets,” those who wanted to keep alcohol legal, such as the United States Brewers Association (USBA) and the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA). Large numbers of immigrants who came from strong drinking cultures were also in favor of keeping alcohol available.