The Prohibition Amendment and its Repeal

The Rise of the Temperance Movement and the Enactment of the 18th Amendment

The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, known as the Prohibition Amendment, was the result of a protracted campaign by temperance activists who aimed to eradicate the social problems they associated with alcohol consumption. The temperance movement, which promoted moderation or complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages, was led by organizations such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the Anti-Saloon League, and the American Temperance Society. Their persistent advocacy, which spanned the better part of the 19th century, demonstrated the significant political influence of American women during this time. The Progressive Era's focus on addressing domestic violence, poverty, and the inefficiency attributed to alcohol abuse provided the momentum for this "Noble Experiment"—a nationwide prohibition on the sale, production, and distribution of alcoholic beverages intended to reform society and improve public morals.

The Prohibition Era: Unintended Consequences and Cultural Shifts

The implementation of the 18th Amendment in 1920 ushered in the Prohibition Era, a time of profound social transformation in the United States. Although the amendment aimed to eliminate the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors, it inadvertently fostered a rise in organized crime. Notorious gangsters like Al Capone thrived by supplying illegal alcohol, and many law-abiding citizens resorted to criminal behavior to obtain it. The era also witnessed a cultural metamorphosis, with the emergence of the Jazz Age and speakeasies—hidden bars that illegally sold alcohol—becoming hotbeds of contemporary music and dance. Contrary to its goals, Prohibition often led to increased lawlessness and disorder.