Vermont Prohibition: Teetotalers, Bootleggers & Corruption

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The temperance movement in Vermont, initiated by the Liquor Law of 1853, led to unintended consequences, including rampant crime and corruption. While the law aimed to promote wholesomeness by targeting distilled spirits, it inadvertently protected cider and fueled illegal activities. Smugglers brought in liquor from Canada, and bootleggers kept speakeasies thriving, prompting some residents to flee from the violence of rum-running gangs. Adam Krakowski explores this tumultuous period, revealing the complexities and challenges of enforcing prohibition in the state.