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Between 1920 and 1933, the United States banned the sale and manufacture of alcohol. This period, instigated after the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, is known as "prohibition."
The law was enacted as a result of the temperance movements prominent among the religious and women in the early 20th century.
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Fast Facts
- Organized crime grew with black market alcohol sales
- Al Capone and Eliot Ness became national figures
- Rum runners, Moonshine, and speakeasies became popular
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Supporters and Detractors
There was wide support for prohibition in the 1910's among more than just religious groups. Southerners and African-Americans supported the movement, as did the Ku Klux Klan. There were minorities in many groups who opposed prohibition, including Catholics, German immigrants, and factions among women, Republicans and Democrats. -
The Untouchables
Organized crime flourished in the United States during prohibition, most notoriously the organization of Al Capone and his Chicago-based smuggling and bootlegging operation. Brian De Palma's film The Untouchables chronicles a team of treasury agents pursuing prosecution of Capone. -
Repeal
The United States was one of the last western nations to repeal laws banning alcohol. Franklin D. Roosevelt promised while running for president to reverse the law when elected. The 21st Amendment effectively ended prohibition on December 5, 1933. -
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The Mahalo Top 7
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YouTube Video: Prohibition: To Drink or Not to Drink (Time: 1:00)
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Digital History: Prohibition: Period 1920s
digitalhistory.uh.edu -
Wikipedia: Prohibition in the United States
en.wikipedia.org -
Ohio State University: Temperance and Prohibition
prohibition.osu.edu -
Albany.edu: The Rise of Speakeasies
albany.edu -
Canadian Encyclopedia: Prohibition in Canada
thecanadianencyclopedia.com -
Westerville Library: The Anti-Saloon League
westervillelibrary.org
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YouTube Video: Prohibition: To Drink or Not to Drink (Time: 1:00)
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Prohibition on Twitter Powered by Twitter
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I have a list! RT @LODPI Communism is like prohibition, it's a good idea but it won't work. -Will Rogers #quote
@RedScareBot | November 09, 2009 04:24 AM -
Communism is like prohibition, it's a good idea but it won't work. -Will Rogers #quote
@LODPI | November 09, 2009 04:20 AM -
Communists in WH? RT @Ken__Lind Communism is like prohibition - it's a good idea, but it won't work.
@RedScareBot | November 09, 2009 04:18 AM -
Communism is like prohibition - it's a good idea, but it won't work.
@Ken__Lind | November 09, 2009 04:13 AM -
@desmoinesdem prohibition voted on annually vs. essentially a permanent one unless repealed - I agree, difference seems relatively minor
@KristiIA | November 09, 2009 04:02 AM
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Prohibition on Amazon | View All
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The Untouchables (Special Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] - $29.99
The critics and public agree. Brian De Palma's The Untouchables is a must-see masterpiece - glorious, fierce, larger-than-life depiction of the mob warlord who ruled Prohibition-era Chicago... and the law enforcer who vowed to bring him dow...
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Dry Manhattan: Prohibition in New York City - $17.95
In 1919, the United States embarked on the country's boldest attempt at moral and social reform: Prohibition. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution prohibited the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol around the country. This "n...
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Prohibition: Thirteen Years That Changed America - $14.99
On January 16, 1920, America went dry. For the next thirteen years, the Eighteenth Amendment prohibited the making, selling, or transportation of "intoxicating liquors," heralding a new era of crime and corruption on all levels of s...
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Drug War Crimes: The Consequences of Prohibition - $15.95
A balanced and sophisticated analysis of the true costs, benefits, and consequences of enforcing drug prohibition is presented in this book. Miron argues that prohibition's effects on drug use have been modest and that prohibition has numer...
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Questions and Answers About Prohibition | View All | Ask a Question
View All Prohibition Questions (29) | Ask a QuestionWhat kind of links are prohibited? (1 Answer)Links that are not trusted resources or that re-purpose content from other sources is also discouraged. For example, though you can often find what you're looking for on Answers.com, they ... read moreAt this point in history, is it legal (constitutional, enforceable, etc) in the USA to enforce old laws prohibiting men from wearing skirts? (3 Answers)I can't believe there are still old laws prohibiting cross dressing. Every now and then, I'll here about some old (state by state) laws that are so far fetched, they ... read moreShould drivers be prohibited from using mobile �phones? (6 Answers)Not any more than they should be prohibited to eat, drink coffee, put on make up, or change your pants while driving. read moreDoes marijuana prohibition have its roots in racism? (1 Answer)According to Joe Rogan it does. I heard him on his podcast say that politicians who were paid off by the tobacco and alcohol companies demonized marijuana by saying that ... read more
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Prohibition Timeline
- 1893: The Anti Saloon League is formed
- 1913: 4000 members of the League, protest in Washington D.C., singing Temperance songs
- 1917: Jan 16, 18th Amendment is adopted
- 1919: Amendment ratified by 36th state, meeting the 3/4 requirement, to take place in one year
- 1919: October: Volstead Act, or National Prohibition Act is passed
- 1920: The 18th Amendment goes into effect
- 1920-1933: The illicit alcohol trade booms
- 1933: March, Volstead Act is modified
- 1933: December 5, the 21st Amendment is ratified and goes into effect immediately, repealing prohibition
- 1934-1970: The Excise Tax on alcohol climbs
- 1978: Jimmy Carter signs a bill legalizing home brewing of beer for the first time since Prohibition
