The Wasp — 1888 — page 219: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes the **prohibition movement** — the campaign to ban alcohol in America. The title "The Policy of the Prohibitionists" suggests criticism of how prohibitionists operated. The scene depicts a violent conflict at a winery. A bearded man (likely representing a prohibitionist or enforcer) battles with another figure, while various people fight and chaos erupts around the building labeled "WINERY." The windmill and rural setting suggest this is set in a wine-producing region. The satire appears to mock prohibitionists by depicting their "war" against alcohol as destructive and violent rather than peaceful reform. The cartoon suggests prohibition policy itself creates conflict and disorder, ironically undercutting prohibitionists' claims to promote social order.