By 1916, all but two states had passed anti- saloon legislation. After the congressional elections that year, "dry" members won a two thirds majority on the topic of national prohibition. In 1919, Congress ratified the 18th Amendment, prohibiting manufacture, transportation, and sale of liquor. It was intended to eliminate crime and social problems, but really just aggravated them. The bootlegging industry and organized crime actually rose. The sale of alcohol became controlled by the Mafia and such gangs who gained huge profits from this. The mafia also bribed the police and politicians to keep quiet about the business. Al Capone from Chicago was notorious in the bootlegging industry. He had made an estimated 60 million dollars annually from bootlegging and speakeasy operations. Gambling and prostitution had also reached their heights at this time. Many Americans began to blame Prohibition for the loss of morals in American society.
Some argued that the ban of alcohol reduced the amount of jobs available during the great depression. This led to the less revenue generated by the government. The AAPA, or Americans Against Prohibition Association added to the public sentiment against prohibition. In Roosevelt's platform, he included repealing the 18th Amendment and his victory led to the end of prohibition. Congress passed a resolution proposing the 21st Amendment, which would repeal the 18th Amendment and Volstead act. Since then, local governments have largely determined liquor control.
http://www.history.com/topics/18th-and-21st-amendments
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition
I never knew that the prohibition of alcohol would increase the problems. Not only that, but also the prohibition of alcohol was used in underground businesses. This also helped the owners of these bars gain more money because they also had performers when people would come in.
ReplyDeleteOne my coaches at debate camp came up with a way to remember the 18th through 21st Amendments: Prohibition was passed with as 18 and outlawed at 21, and while they were sober in between, women got the right to vote (19th Amendment).
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