Eighteenth Amendment To The United States Constitution

Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution established the prohibition of "intoxicating liquors" in the United States, marking the start of a nationwide ban on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. Ratified on January 16, 1919, and effective as of January 17, 1920, the amendment was the culmination of decades of effort by the temperance movement in the United States. It was later repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment in 1933, the only instance of an amendment's complete repeal in U.S. history.

Background

The movement towards alcohol prohibition began in the early 19th century, initially focusing on moderation but gradually shifting towards advocating for total abstinence. The American Temperance Society, founded in 1826, and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), established in 1873, were pivotal in mobilizing public sentiment against alcohol. The Anti-Saloon League, founded in 1893, later played a significant role in lobbying for prohibition at the state and national levels.

Ratification

The push for a national prohibition began in earnest in the early 20th century, with the Prohibition Party and the Anti-Saloon League leading the charge. The amendment received the necessary two-thirds majority in Congress on December 18, 1917, and was sent to the states for ratification. It reached the required three-fourths threshold on January 16, 1919, when Nebraska became the 36th state to ratify the amendment.

Provisions

The Eighteenth Amendment consisted of three sections. Section 1 prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within the United States and its territories. Section 2 placed the responsibility for enforcing the amendment on both the federal government and the states. Section 3 set the amendment to take effect one year after ratification.

Impact

The immediate effect of the Eighteenth Amendment was the nationwide prohibition of alcohol, leading to the closure of breweries, distilleries, and saloons. However, it also gave rise to illegal alcohol production and distribution, known as bootlegging, and speakeasies, which were illicit establishments that sold alcoholic beverages. The amendment also contributed to the growth of organized crime, as criminal organizations took control of the illegal alcohol market.

Repeal

The practical difficulties of enforcing prohibition, along with the negative social and economic impacts, led to growing opposition in the early 1930s. The Twenty-first Amendment, ratified on December 5, 1933, repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, ending national prohibition. It remains the only instance of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution being entirely repealed by another amendment.

Legacy

The Eighteenth Amendment is a significant part of American history, illustrating the complexities of legislating morality and the challenges of enforcing such legislation. It also highlights the dynamic nature of the U.S. Constitution and the amendment process.