The Eighteenth Amendment

The Eighteenth Amendment:

Section 1.

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

Section 2.

The Congress and the several states shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Section 3.

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several states, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.

This amendment outlawed the use, making, and sale of alcohol in the United States.  Though it was with good intent to outlaw alcohol, it ended up causing more problems which ended in repealing the amendment. The time when this law was active is known as the Prohibition.  Congress has the right to enforce any regulations they see fit to make sure people are not drinking illegally.  However 3/4 of the states had to pass this amendment in 7 years or less or the amendment would terminate.  

The prohibition was greatly affected by feminists at the time. Many women and men also argued that alcohol led to domestic violence, and problems in the home.  Extensive alcohol use and abuse also coincided with many religious beliefs.  Although these men and primarily women wanted to make society better, the 18th amendment was still repealed.  People continued to find ways to drink, especially by buying from criminals who profited immensely.  

This video is a great preview into life during the Prohibition.  The video footage helps us see pieces of what went on from 1920 to 1933.  The United States was split between "drys" and "wets."  This is an interesting concept, because the U.S. always seems to be divided.  For one, we are always politically separated by our two major political parties; Democrats and Republicans.  The Prohibition influenced many Americans, and the 18th amendment rather than collectively improving society, only  isolated and generated rebellion.