Prohibition

People wanted prohibition because they felt it would reduce social problems, the tax burden created by prisons ans poorhouses, and improve overall health in America. People in the 1920s were now realizing alcohol damaged your body, mostly your liver. There were many different groups that fought for prohibition. This event was known as the Temperence Movement. These groups wanted to protect women and children. Alcoholic Anonymous is the most well known temperence group today. There was also the Anti-Saloon Act League. they belived the only way to preserve christianity in America was to rid of the "devils drink." After a long fight, on January 16, 1920, prohibition went into effect. This banned the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcohol. The Volstead Act made it so all alcohol with 0.5% alcohol content was now illegal. If you were caught defying the Volstead Act you could get fined up to 1,000$. If you could not pay the fine you could be put into jail at the minimum of 6 months.

Prohibition brought more organized crime to America in the 20th century. People were bootlegging alcohol. They were now making alcohol in there own bathtubs. Many people were now smuggling alcohol throughout the country. People came up with innovative new ways to transport alcohol. Prohibition brought about speakeasies too. Speakeasies were illegal bars that served alcohol. The only way you could get into these bars was by knowing the secret password. The 21st amendment offically repealed the 18th amendment. Franklin Roosevelt was the one to get it repealed. After prohibition many jobs were now created. by 1966 all states in America officially repealed prohibition. The main lesson learned from the 18th amendment and prohibition of alcohol, is that it does not work. It did not improve the overall health in America, it did not solve social problmes, and it led to an increase of government spending.

Sources: www.1920-30.com/prohibition

www.history1900s.about.com

www.essortment.com/all/prohibitonamer_refo.html