Writing Resources
Role of Prohibition in the History of American Racism and Nativism Racism and nativism have been critical features that characterized the history of the United States Racism encompassed the maltreatment of African Americans and other minority groups while nativism included the systemic state policies designed to protect the interests of established inhabitants against the interests of immigrants In both cases the white majority benefited since they dominated the government and could front and safeguard their interests In her book entitled The War on Alcohol Prohibition and the Rise of the American State Lisa McGirr challenges a long held myth by demonstrating that prohibition was essential in the expansion of the powers of the federal government The scholar argues that prohibition enhanced the entrenchment of racism and nativism in the governance of the country by helping grow the powers of the federal government McGirr argues that the federal government waged war on alcohol disproportionately in immigrants
