In 1697, the first alcohol law was put into effect in the state of New York. The law said that all saloons must close on Sunday because Sunday is a day for worship not drinking. In 1735, the first statewide prohibition began in the state of Georgia. This failed miserably and was then quickly abandoned seven years later, in 1742.
In 1851, Maine was the 2nd state to introduce prohibition, and it turned out to be an outstanding success. By 1855, A dozen other states had joined Maine in becoming what is known as being "dry state". These were the first successful alcohol Prohibition laws passed in the United States.
In 1880, after the Civil War, women joined the dries and soon the temperance movement was back in full force. The WCTU was formed and the Prohibition Party became more powerful. All sorts of Prohibitions, including alcohol, tobacco, and closing all theaters were proposed, but the only one that ever caught on was the alcohol Prohibition.
By 1900, more than 50% of the continental united states had become dry. The prohibitionists thought that there was no possible way for any person to get liquor in a dry state. Unfortunately for the dries, a loophole was found, the postal service. Because the postal service was run by the federal government instead of the state government, liquor could be mail ordered from a wet state.
This infuriated the dries and in 1913, the Interstate Liquor Act was passed. This act made it illegal to send liquor to any dry state. This was actually a loss for the dries, because this effectively got rid of all possible legal methods of getting alcohol therefore opening up new avenues for illegal methods. The liquor industries were soon hand in hand with crime syndicates.
In 1917, the 18th amendment was proposed to ban the sale and manufacture of liquor. Many states did not agree with this view, so it remained in debate for 2 years. By 1920, 33 states had voted themselves dry, and the prohibition law was passed. The prohibition party had finally won its' biggest victory to date.
January 29, 1919. The 18th Amendment was ratified and all hard liquor with over 40% alcohol content (drinks over 80 proof) were banned. Officially, it banned the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors." Many people supported this act, thinking that it was only banning hard liquors, and thinking that a glass of wine with dinner or a beer after work would be fine. The Amendment took effect one year later on January 29, 1920.
However, in October of 1919, the Volstead Act was passed. The Volstead Act banned all alcohol that had more than 1/2% alcohol content. This effectively banned all forms of alcoholic beverages, with the exception non-alcoholic beers. After the 18th amendment was ratified, the Volstead Act was brought into the light by the Prohibition supporters. Many of the original supporters of the 18th amendment who just wanted a little wine now and then were left empty handed. Many of these supporters felt betrayed and let down.
Another group that felt betrayed was the World War I Veterans, returning home from the war. Many of these had been stationed in France and had seen first hand that alcohol in modest quantities could be mixed with everyday life. Coming home from the war and finding out that the evangelists, reformers, dries had won a total victory added to bitterness of the veterans.
All in all, the dries came out of the woodwork and won the battle for prohibition. The fatal mistake was to ban all types of alcohol, which lost the Prohibition Party most of its' followers.
It wasn't until 1933 that the 21st Amendment was brought before congress and ratified to officially end Prohibition.
Below explains both the 18th Amendment and the Volstead act and also give the 21st Amendment which is stating the end of prohibition.
The 18th amendment
1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
The 21st amendment
1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
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