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The 18th Amendment banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. It's goal was to reduce social problems that associated with alcohol. The supports of the time argued that the result would be a reduction in crime rates, whereas the critics predicted that illegal trade would be on the rise. -
On October 28, 1919, Congress passed the Volstead Act, which would become effective on Jan 17, 1920. This act allowed the federal government to enforce the 18th Amendment as they see fit. This included creating the Bureau of Prohabition which oversaw to the placement of prohibition. -
Founded by Pauline Sabin, the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform (WONPR) made a mark on prohibition. Through campaigning, media, and lobbying, the WONPR fought against prohibition. They argued that it was ineffective, encouraged disrespect towards the law, led to more organized crime, political corruption, and a more dangerous drinking environment. This organization gained a following of 1.5 million people and played a significant role in repealing the 18th Amendment. -
The National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement (the Wickersham Commision) was a committee, established by President Hoover, in charge of investigating prohibition enforcement, and more, in order to improve the American criminal justice system. They ended up finding problems in every community that attempted to enforce prohibition laws. One commissioner, Monte M. Lemann, refused to sign the final report stating that there was "no alternative but repeal of the [Eighteenth] Amendment." -
In Novemeber 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected as our next President. Through his campaign, he became known for his feelings on prohibition. FDR didn't support prohibition because he saw the affects it had made on our country. This was greatly influenced by the Great Depression and the sorrow it brought to the people. He supported the repeal due to the economic support it could bring back into the country. -
Congress proposed the 21st Amendment which would repeal the 18th Amendment once passed. This is the only Amendment that repeals a previous one. It shows the challenges the 18th Amendment had. It also was voted on by state conventions instead of state legislators. This allowed the power to be more in the peoples hands then ever before. -
The Beer and Wine Revenue Act legalized the sale of beer and wine with an alcohol content of 3.2% or less, ending the national prohibition. The law was major part of President FDR's 'New Deal'. It generated federal income through taxes on alcohol during the Great Depression. This Act paved the way for the eventual repeal of the 18th Amendment. -
The 21st Amendment ended national Prohibition and was ratified on December 5th, 1933. The process was completed in less than a year with Utah being the 36th state to ratify the amendment, which achieved the required three-fourths majority to be passed. Although, Section 2 gave states the power to regulate/prohibit the sale and use of alcohol within their borders. This allowed states to create their own laws regarding the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol. -
The Prohibition Bureau was dissolved due to prohibition no longer being in effect. The Bureau's primary purpose ended but their functions actually transferred to the Department of the Treasury, and that agency became the Alcohol Tax Unit (ATU) under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The ATU eventually evolved into the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). -
33 years after the 21st Amendment was ratified, Mississippi became the final state to repeal its statewide Prohibition law. Although, individual counties were allowed to decide their own alcohol policies. It took until January 1st, 2021 for possession of alcohol to be legal in all parts of the state. Counties are still able to remain "dry" in the sense of no alcohol sales. This means the repeal of prohibition was finally nationwide!