Prohibition Is Ratified

What Happened?

On January 16, 1919, the United States took a dramatic step by ratifying the 18th Amendment, which made it illegal to manufacture, sell, or transport alcohol. Supporters believed banning alcohol would reduce crime, poverty, and family violence.

The push for Prohibition grew out of the temperance movement, which began in the early 1800s. Religious groups, reformers, and organizations like the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union argued that alcohol harmed workers, families, and communities.

During World War I, support for Prohibition increased as Americans were encouraged to save grain for food instead of alcohol. In just eleven months, enough states approved the amendment to make it part of the Constitution.

Prohibition officially went into effect in 1920 after Congress passed the Volstead Act to enforce the ban. However, enforcing the law proved difficult, especially in large cities where many people continued to drink in secret.

Illegal alcohol production and sales—known as bootlegging—exploded. Hidden bars called speakeasies spread, and organized crime groups grew powerful by supplying liquor, leading to increased violence and corruption.

Instead of eliminating alcohol, Prohibition created new problems, including unsafe homemade liquor, overcrowded prisons, lost tax revenue, and weakened trust in law enforcement.

By the early 1930s, many Americans agreed that Prohibition had failed. In 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th, ending the Prohibition era and showing how even well-intended laws can have serious unintended consequences.

Why It Matters

Prohibition shows how laws meant to improve society can sometimes cause more harm than good. It reminds us to think carefully about how government power is used and how real people respond to strict rules.