Prohibition Era: Intentions and Unintended Consequences

The 18th amendment, generally known as prohibition or “noble experiment” prohibited the manufacture, transport and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. It was ratified in January 29, 1919 and came into effect a year later. Its intended effect was to eliminate crime and other social problems . However, it failed as it led to a rise in organized crime and worsened other social problems throughout the US, and by 1933 the 21st amendment repealed the 18th amendment and the prohibition era was over.
Despite what people believe, prohibition of alcohol was not introduced to the united states with the 18th amendment. There had been prior cases of alcohol prohibition within States and cities. A great example of this is when in 1851 Maine

passed a law which prohibited the selling of alcohol within the state, then other states followed such as kansas in 1881, however, just like the 18th amendment, both failed and were repealed a few years later. These cases did not bring too much attention as it was only within a small group. However, the 18th amendment affected everyone in the United States, which caused a lot more attention and hysteria between those agreeing as well as those disagreeing with this new law.

Various religious, political groups and social activist feared alcohol, it was seen as a threat to the nation and they blamed alcohol for violence and others problems that were affecting the American families back then such as crime, murders, and poverty. Well known groups such as the The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and the anti-saloon league played a very important role on the prohibition of alcohol. These groups made up mostly by housewives, were tired of the “drunkenness” of America and used political influence to push at first for moderation on the consumption of alcohol, and years later changed their focus to complete abstinence. Their constant pressure to ban alcohol in the United States, and the lack of new ideas to confront social problems obliged president Woodrow Wilson to address the issue and on january 16th, 1919 the “noble experiment”as called by future president Herbert Hoover was passed. Regardless of noticeable discontent by the majority of people, the 18th amendment went into effect just one year later on January 17th, 1920.
Soon after the noble experiment was passed, its negative effect on the economy was evident.

Prohibition supporters expected Americans to seek other kinds of entertainment without consuming alcohol, therefore they expected the clothing industries, the soft drinks industries, and the theaters to skyrocket and improve their business. However, not only that did not happen, but thousand of jobs were lost due to close downs of breweries, distilleries, and other entertainment venues that could not make enough profit without selling alcohol. Billions of dollars were lost on tax revenue and the enforcement of the law cost 300 millions dollars annually to the government. The 18th amendment diminished the consumption of alcohol the first few months, however, not long time passed before “businessmen” realized new ways to pass under the law and make huge profit from it. These businessmen created “underground” secret bars called speakeasies which sold illegal alcohol to anyone who wanted to drink it and only a few years later the consumption of alcohol was even higher throughout the country than before the 18th amendment was put into effect. These illegal selling of alcohol gave birth to new well known gangs and criminals such as al capone who made millions of dollars by bootlegging, and did not hesitate to get rid of anything or anyone who got in his way. Because of that, arrests and violence were on their peak. Social problems such as the crowded prison systems and courts got even

worse. Law enforcement was being affected negatively as well because they were seen as weak, and some of their members were frequently tempted to accept bribes from bootleggers and would even take the lucrative opportunity to be part of the bootlegging business themselves.
It was clear, the 18th amendment had been a resounding failure from all perspectives. Organized crime and violence were increasing. Alcohol-related deaths were more frequent as the alcohol was not properly made. Americans were drinking more than before prohibition was established. Law enforcement was incapable of controlling the disastrous situation, and the economy went downhill. It was time to make a change and finally on December 5, 1933, the 21st amendment was passed, and the 18th amendment became the only constitutional amendment to be repealed from the constitution, and that way putting an end to the prohibition era.