Home / Series / Prohibition / Aired Order / Season 1 / Episode 2

A Nation of Scofflaws

Part 2 of 3 examines the problems that the Volstead Act and prohibition caused, including a possible increase in alcoholism due to women frequenting the illicit speakeasies that replaced male-only saloons; adulterated liquor that poisons some drinkers; and civil-rights violations by overzealous federal agents anxious to make arrests. Despite the public's growing opposition to the ban, few politicians dare to speak against it due to the political might of the Anti-Saloon League.

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  • Originally Aired October 3, 2011
  • Runtime 120 minutes
  • Network PBS
  • Created December 4, 2011 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified January 1, 2023 by
    rossini
Name Type Role
Geoffrey C. Ward Writer
Josh Lucas Guest Star
Kevin Conway Guest Star
Campbell Scott Guest Star
Paul Giamatti Guest Star
Sam Waterston Guest Star
Peter Coyote Guest Star
Tom Hanks Guest Star
Noah Feldman Guest Star
John Lithgow Guest Star
Patricia Clarkson Guest Star
Ken Burns, Lynn Novick Director