18th Amendment Essay

Sixteenth Amendment- Authorization of an Income Tax – Progressives thought this would slow down the rising wealth of the richest Americans by using a sliding or progressive scale where the wealthier would pay more into the system. In 1907, Roosevelt supported the tax but it took two years until his Successor, Taft endorsed the constitutional amendment for the tax. The Sixteenth Amendment was finally ratified by the states in 1913. The origin of the income tax came William J Bryan in 1894 to help redistribute wealth and then from Roosevelt and his dedication to reform of corporations. I agree with an income tax to pay for all of our government systems and departments, but I believe there was a misfire with “redistributing wealth.” The redistribution is seen in welfare systems whereby individuals receive money to live. This is meant to be a temporary assistance, but sadly, most that are in the system are stuck due to lack of

Many Protestant conservatives were against consuming alcohol, as well as many women. A few organizations sprouted to try and reduce consumption of alcohol, like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. They believed alcohol was the cause of marital discourse and domestic violence, crime, and “buying” votes on election days by parties buying alcohol for voters. Frances Willard was a “doer” and moved to promote her cause of prohibition on all levels, local, state and federal. After her campaign to ban alcohol, congress finally endorsed the amendment in 1917. Prohibition ended with the 21st Amendment and I’m sure we will read that during the 16 year prohibition, alcohol never went away. Underground clubs still served alcohol, people still found ways to partake. I think progressives needed an evil to blame for the bad things of this world and they hoped and focused on something specific that others could rally behind. I also believe the progressives had good intentions trying to eliminate alcohol in the