Prohibition

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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