dec 18, 1917 - Prohibition

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In the 1920’s and 30’s there was a revival in religious ideals in the United States that called for “perfectionist” movements. Prohibition was one of these movements which is the banning of manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol. The first state to pass prohibition laws was Maine on June 2, 1851, followed with many other states by 1861. The 18th amendment, prohibition, was proposed by Congress on December 18, 1917, and was ratified on January 16. Prohibition was quite hard to enforce even with the volstead act which aimed to carry out the intent of the 18th amendment. This era caused an increase in bootlegging or the illegal production and sale of alcoholic beverages, speakeasies which are illegal drinking spots, gang violence, and other criminal activity. In 1933 Congress proposed and ratified the 21st amendment repealing the 18th amendment in hopes to bring an end to the increase in illegal activity which brought about the end of the prohibition era.

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