18th Amendment Consequences Essay

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American Prohibition:
Passage and Consequences
Melissa Bailey

The passing of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution on January 16th, 1919 brought in a new era of crime in America. The 18th Amendment, which went into effect January 17th, 1920, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages nationwide in the United States (The 18th). By outlawing the sale and consumption of alcohol, the 18th Amendment attempted to create a more moral society, a cause supported by the Temperance movement. In reality, the 18th amendment brought in a time of unexpected consequences where organized crime such as bootlegging flourished, speakeasies popped up in cities across the nation, and people made …show more content…
These groups of supporters formed unions before the turn of the century, such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union. The Women's Christian Temperance Union had strict political stances of the sale of alcohol, and were greatly influenced by Christian ideals. On the other hand, the Union struggled to find common ground on other political issues of the time. The successes in persuading people to renounce alcohol by the WCTU were short-lived as the 18th Amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment and crime flourished in the years between. Alcoholism, by women and church members, was seen as a disease that caused social degeneration, weakening the morality of society. Many believed that prohibition would create a more moral society. One of the most powerful organizations in favor of Temperance was the Anti-Saloon League, founded in Oberlin, Ohio, and by 1900 was "in the driver's seat of the prohibition cause." (Webb) The Anti-Saloon League's motto was "the saloon must go." The Anti-Saloon League was not political and took no stance on any issue besides prohibition, strengthening their sole cause, quoted again in Webb's essay: "Another man, a part of the formation of the League, said, 'The Spirit of the Lord came among us and untied us on this platform. We will have no more alcohol sold in
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