Essay On The Prohibition Era

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Recommended: National Prohibition and American Society in the 20th Century

The 1920s were known as the ‘Roaring 20s’. It was a time of high life and elation. That was until Congress passed the 18th amendment on January 17, 1920. Until the termination of this amendment, many other issues grew due to the “no-alcohol rule.” This period in history is known as the Prohibition Era. Along with causing many Americans to rebel and become convicts of the law, this era caused brutal downfall of businesses, such as breweries and saloons. Prohibition also created a conflict between the state and federal government, which provoked an enforcement problem within the country and an increased crime rate. With all the distractions, several people didn’t realize that America was going to experience a drastic change.
From January 17, 1920 to December 5, 1933, America was classified as a “dry” nation. Specifically, January 16, 1920 was the official recognition of the 18th amendment. The 18th amendment stated that the selling, manufacturing, production, and consumption of alcohol were illegal. The citizens of America were not in favor of this new law because it took away their freedom and happiness. Although the government believed that the new law they have created was for a good cause, it made Americans defy the constitution and act unruly. “Noble though it may have been, seldom has law been more flagrantly violated” (Britten and Mathless 110). The law has never been broken so often since the Prohibition.
This new amendment did not stop people from going out and drinking anyway. The people did what they pleased. “Prohibition has made covert drinking a game” (Britten and Mathless 28). Families started to brew drinks at home. The supplies were accessible at a supply store and recipe books were held at a library. “The books, ...

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...18th amendment. The Volstead Act, introduced by Andrew Volstead, was the actual law used to enforce Prohibition. The congressmen, who voted for the Prohibition amendment, believed that beer and wine was acceptable, but an intoxicating beverage was considered more than ½ of 1% of alcohol. This law also declared that anyone could keep the alcohol they purchased before the amendment was developed. The people, who knew of the 18th amendment, including the wealthy, had plenty of time to store alcohol that could last them for 14 years. (Burns and Novick).
The Mullan-Gage Law granted law officials to find and arrest anyone who disobeyed the 18th amendment (Hill 131). The Mullan-Gage law was more severe than the Volstead act. Enforcers were so focused on this new law that other small crimes, like robberies and killings, were not acknowledged and instead, were liberated.

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