Prompt Cast
The History of Alcohol Consumption in Early America
TLDR Early Americans consumed large amounts of alcohol, with rum and cider being the most popular drinks. Alcohol consumption peaked in the 18th and early 19th centuries, leading to the rise of the Temperance Movement and eventually the 18th amendment. Today, Americans drink much less and the US is ranked 45th in the world in alcohol consumption.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Early Americans consumed more alcohol on average than any other people in human history.
01:54
Early European settlers in America brought alcohol with them on their voyages, as they believed it was safer to drink than water.
03:21
Rum and cider were the most popular drinks in colonial America, with rum being imported from the Caribbean and cider being produced locally from apple orchards brought over by English settlers.
04:53
Whiskey eventually surpassed rum as the most popular drink in colonial America, particularly in the west, due to its ease of shipping and higher price, leading to the whiskey rebellion in western Pennsylvania and the establishment of the American whiskey industry in Kentucky and Tennessee.
06:31
Early Americans consumed a large amount of alcohol, as evidenced by a party held by George Washington in 1787 where 54 bottles of Madeira wine, 60 bottles of Claret wine, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 bottles of beer, and 7 bowls of alcoholic punch were consumed by 55 guests including Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison.
08:16
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, alcohol consumption in America was widespread and crossed all societal lines, with the average American consuming 3.5 gallons of pure alcohol per year in 1790, and this excessive drinking was noted by Europeans who visited the United States.
10:04
Alcohol consumption in the United States peaked around 1820, leading to the rise of the Temperance Movement and eventually the 18th amendment, but today Americans drink much less and the US is ranked 45th in the world in alcohol consumption.
