The anti-alcohol struggle legislation in Santander, 1923-1928

Abstract

The anti-alcohol struggle legislation was enacted during the twentieth century’s third decade, a period known in the national historiography as the beginning of the Colombian State modernization. These regulations not only authorized Governors to eliminate the departmental liquor revenues, but also aimed at controlling the production, commercialization and consumption of all liquors.

This article analyzes the application of the national anti-alcohol legislation in the department of Santander, which consequences included both the elimination of artisanal manufacture of traditional fermented beverages like Chicha and Guarapo, and the consolidation of a departmental-owned company dedicated to aguardiente de caña distillation.

Keys words: legislation, liquor, revenues.