18th Amendment Research Paper

No. That's a word most children learn early on to hate. When a child is told no they take one of two routes, don't do that thing, or be sneakier next time. Now try telling a whole nation of adults that the government is now saying NO to a common cultural practice. Just like that five year old who was told not to have dessert before dinner, or not to jump on their bed, these adults now have to make a choice: will they abide by the government, or will they learn to be sneakier next time? The 18th amendment, also known as prohibition, began in 1919 with the ratification of the 18th amendment to the U.S constitution. However, the amendment was repealed in early 1933 with the ratification of the 21st amendment. The 18th amendment banned the manufacture, …show more content…
In this essay I will explain how prohibition does more harm than good. Prohibition failed because of its roots in prejudice, its ability to not fully stop alcohol consumption, and its lending to the rise of violent organized crime. The first reason prohibition failed was its racial barriers and prejudice. Saloons had been a common place where immigrants and working class men would talk freely, organize, and even find jobs. Saloons were not just places to grab a drink but a communal gathering place for the industrial workers, working class, and immigrants to gather to discuss politics, debate, and sometimes even meet candidates. Temperance advocates such as the women's christian temperance union and the, who were for prohibition, were worried that saloon patrons who would often speak in their native languages were communists or socialists. Most people who were for prohibition were middle or upper class who truly advocated not for prohibition but for the banning of saloons to keep foreign immigrants from organizing. However they had a double standard, many continued to serve drinks at their cocktail parties and other social gatherings whilst trying to ban the consumption of alcohol to those working class

Show More