Arielle Cruz
The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which was ratified on January 16, 1919, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol across the country. It was the result of decades of effort by the temperance movement, which argued that banning alcohol would eliminate poverty and improve social conditions. The amendment did not ban the consumption of alcohol, and its enforcement proved challenging, with illegal alcohol manufacturing and organised crime on the rise. The Eighteenth Amendment was eventually repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment on December 5, 1933, marking a shift in public sentiment towards prohibition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amendment Number | XVIII (18) |
| Date Proposed by Congress | December 18, 1917 |
| Date Ratified | January 16, 1919 |
| Date Ratified by Congress | January 29, 1919 |
| Date Prohibition Started | January 17, 1920 |
| Date Repealed | December 5, 1933 |
| Repealed by | Twenty-first Amendment |
| Groups that Supported the Amendment | Temperance Movement, Anti-Saloon League, Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Churches |
| Notable Supporters | Billy Sunday, Wayne B. Wheeler, Andrew Volstead |
| Notable Opposition | President Woodrow Wilson |
| States that Did Not Ratify the Amendment | 2 out of 48 states |
| States that Did Not Lift Prohibition Laws After Repeal | Mississippi (until 1966), Kansas (until 1987) |
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What You'll Learn
The Eighteenth Amendment
While the Eighteenth Amendment banned the production, transportation, and sale of intoxicating liquors, it did not make the consumption of alcohol illegal. This led to the emergence of black markets and crime syndicates dedicated to distributing alcohol, such as the Chicago Outfit under Al Capone. Despite initial positive effects, such as a decline in alcohol-related health issues and crimes associated with alcohol consumption, the amendment ultimately proved difficult to enforce.
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Prohibition
The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution established the prohibition of alcohol in the country. Proposed by Congress on December 18, 1917, and ratified on January 16, 1919, the Eighteenth Amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within the United States. It also banned the importation and exportation of alcoholic beverages for beverage purposes.
The Eighteenth Amendment was the culmination of decades of efforts by the temperance movement, which argued that banning the sale of alcohol would alleviate societal issues such as poverty and crime. While the amendment did not outlaw alcohol consumption, it made the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages illegal. This led to the emergence of black markets and organised crime syndicates dedicated to supplying alcohol.
The National Prohibition Act, commonly known as the Volstead Act, was enacted to enforce the Eighteenth Amendment. It set the commencement date for nationwide prohibition as January 17, 1920, one year after ratification, as stipulated by the amendment. The Volstead Act defined the procedures for enforcing the ban and specified the types of alcoholic beverages prohibited. It's worth noting that not all alcohol was banned; for instance, religious use of wine was permitted.
Despite initial support for Prohibition, public opinion shifted over time. Loopholes in the legislation, ineffective enforcement, and the emergence of a thriving illegal alcohol industry contributed to waning enthusiasm for the policy. By the late 1920s, opposition to Prohibition grew, criticising the loss of tax revenue and the imposition of "rural" Protestant values on "urban" America. The Great Depression further highlighted the need for tax income, and the negative impact of Prohibition on government finances became more apparent.
On December 5, 1933, the Twenty-first Amendment was ratified, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment and bringing an end to Prohibition. The Twenty-first Amendment restored the states' authority to regulate or prohibit alcoholic beverages within their jurisdictions, recognising health, safety, and other legitimate interests as factors. However, it did not prevent states from restricting or banning alcohol entirely. Mississippi was the last state to lift its Prohibition-era laws in 1966, illustrating the enduring impact of Prohibition sentiments in certain regions.
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The Volstead Act
The Eighteenth Amendment was the result of decades of efforts by the temperance movement, which aimed to ban the sale of alcohol to address societal issues such as poverty. The Anti-Saloon League, formed in 1893, played a significant role in advocating for the amendment by claiming that drinking was pro-German during World War I, leveraging the prejudice and suspicion of foreigners following the war. The amendment was proposed by Congress in December 1917 and ratified in January 1919, with Nebraska becoming the 36th state to ratify it.
While the Volstead Act and the Eighteenth Amendment prohibited the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol, they did not outlaw the consumption of alcohol. This led to the formation of an underground market for alcoholic beverages, with illegal alcohol production centres developing ties with organised crime organisations. The Act was also challenging to enforce, with people finding creative ways to evade Prohibition agents and some states refusing to commit resources to its enforcement.
Ultimately, the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act were repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment on December 5, 1933, marking the end of the Prohibition Era.
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The temperance movement
The movement's early days focused on advice against hard spirits rather than total abstinence from alcohol and on moral reform rather than legal measures against alcohol. In 1810, Calvinist ministers met in a Massachusetts seminary to write articles about abstinence from alcohol to use in preaching to their congregations. The Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance (MSSI) was formed in 1813. The organization only accepted men of high social standing and encouraged moderation in alcohol consumption.
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The Twenty-first Amendment
The Eighteenth Amendment, passed in 1919, had been the culmination of decades of efforts by the temperance movement, which argued that alcohol was the root of most societal problems and that prohibition would improve public health and safety, as well as ameliorate poverty and reduce crime. The Anti-Saloon League, founded in 1893, was a key proponent of the amendment, strategically engaging with Protestant churches and both major political parties. The amendment prohibited the importation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of intoxicating liquors, although it did not make the consumption of alcohol illegal.
The Eighteenth Amendment was enforced by the Volstead Act, also known as the National Prohibition Act, which set down the rules for enforcing the federal ban and defined the types of alcoholic beverages that were prohibited. However, the amendment and its enforcement legislation soon fell out of favour with the American public due to ineffective and harsh enforcement, the emergence of illegal alcohol production and distribution, and the need for tax revenue during the Great Depression. Additionally, the amendment's lack of prohibition on alcohol consumption meant that Americans found loopholes and illegal methods to obtain alcohol, leading to the development of black markets and organised crime.
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Frequently asked questions
The Eighteenth Amendment.
1920, one year after it was ratified in 1919.
The amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, as well as the importation and exportation of alcohol for beverage purposes.
No, it did not. While it prohibited the sale, manufacture, and distribution of alcohol, it did not ban the consumption, possession, or production for private, personal use.
The Eighteenth Amendment was the result of decades of efforts by the temperance movement, which argued that banning alcohol would eliminate poverty and improve societal issues such as violence and immoral sexual behaviour.
