The prevention by law of the manufacture and sale of alcohol, especially in the US between 1920 and 1933.
The Rise of Prohibition
Prohibition was enforced by law in the early 1920s, as this was the time of the "Great War", otherwise known as World War I. The war encouraged Prohibition in the way that many Americans believed it was unpatriotic and even selfish to use resources like wheat and barley for alcohol, instead of using such resources to feed fighting soldiers overseas. 75 percent of Americans were living in what became "dry" places--counties with specific laws/bans against popular alcohol such as liquor. These new laws sparked great controversy and opposing opinions within the Americans it impacted.
What Were the Laws?
The biggest law against alcohol, which was passed in 1919 was the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Its goal was to sweep the U.S. of any and all alcohol. The amendment not only forbade the consumption of alcohol, but also the sale, manufacturing and distribution of alcohol as well. Once the Eighteenth Amendment was passed, Congress then passed the Volstead Act to officially enforce the amendment. As mentioned, such law seemed to almost split society. Not before long, Americans had to make the choice to be referred to as "wets" or "drys", depending on wether they were for or against the law and its impact on the population.
"If i break the law, my customers...are as guilty as I am" ~Al Capone
Answers: B, A, C
This snapshot shows a poster during 1919 encouraging Americans to vote against Prohibition.
Rule-Breakers
Even though the Volstead Act was passed, a plethora of Americans were still willing to break the law to get their hands on alcohol. Even the most civilized and law abiding people were now routinely disregarding the law. People known an bootleggers sold illegal alcohol which was made in secret places or smuggled from other countries to make fortunes. Some secret alcohol-making places had intricate architecture, which allowed the owners to have an escape-route if needed. Doors to these places, called speakeasies were protected with secret code words.
A bootlegger in the 1920s attending the secret door to a speakeasy.
Crimes
Though some people resorted to speakeasies as a way to unwind for a drink, other more serious and mischievous Americans saw the sale of alcohol as a profitable business. Famous gang leader, Al Capone, lead America down a long path of organized crime beginning with alcohol smuggling. Referring to himself as a businessman, Capone worked day and night to find the best alcohol at the best deals through personal connections extending out of the country. However, Capone's crimes soon grew to be much larger and more serious as time progressed. What was once selling alcohol under the table grew into organized prostitution, drug sales, robberies and ever murder. In this way. Prohibition contributed to increases in organized crime in the 1920s.
When Did it End?
As people progressively found new ways to smuggle in drinks, the Government found it hard to keep alcohol out of the United States. As the demand for alcohol grew, policeman began to look to other way. Some official even said, "if people want to drink, they will drink". Because of the issued associated with Prohibition, it was not until 1933 that the Twenty-first Amendment repealed Prohibition.