Preview

How Did America Change Its Mind About Prohibition?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
830 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Did America Change Its Mind About Prohibition?
Why Did America Change Its Mind About Prohibition?

Over a century ago on December 17, 1917, the House of Representatives voted and approved the 18th amendment and prohibited the manufacturing, transporting, and selling of all alcoholic beverages in the United States (Mini Q, pg 117). There were many factors that went under consideration, leading to prohibition being passed. One was that people believed alcohol was behind some of the the country’s most important issues like child abuse, crime, corruption, worker safety, and unemployment. Henry Ford and John D. Rokefeller spoke out to say that drinking had a huge drag on the economy, stating that drunken and absent workers were bad for American businesses (Mini Q, pg 117). Eventually twenty-six states took it upon themselves to become dry by the time
…show more content…
Many people who supported the Amendment were told that only hard liquor would be banned and were outraged when wine and beer were outlawed as well. Over time, the support dissipated and opposition grew for the act. However, this begged the question: Why did America change its mind about the banning of manufacturing, selling, and transporting of alcoholic beverages? To answer this question, weeds need to know what are the Acts, the wets, and the drys.

The effects of passing the Prohibition Act and the Volstead Act had a significant impact on why America changed their mind about Prohibition. The Prohibition Act was the 18th amendment, its goal was to stop the manufacturing, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages. This act passed because many people believe that “drinking was behind some of America's most serious problems like corruption, child abuse, crime, unemployment, and worker safety” (mini q pg117). Prohibition was passed during World War 1 because they thought that people purchasing and spending money on alcoholic beverages was

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    First Amendment To Be Repealed On the midnight of January 26,1920, America went officially dry. The habit of most Americans was prohibited when the 18th Amendment was passed. The manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within the United States was forbidden. Prohibition was seen as a solution for one of the most serious problems in America which is caused by drinking, but then why did America change its mind? It happened for three major reasons: crime, enforcement and disrespect…

    • 337 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    questions but there is one main question. Why did America change its mind? America changed its mind and repealed Prohibition for three reasons; crime, law enforcement, and economics. The first reason Americans changed their minds about Prohibition was that it led to many crimes. For instance, the rate in homicides had risen during Prohibition. According to statistics from 1918-1940, homicide rates before Prohibition was 7 per 100,000 people. During Prohibition rates went up to 10 per 100,000 people (Doc…

    • 409 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prohibition: Why Did America Change Its Mind ? The alcohol industry is one of the largest to contribute to the U.S economy. Its reported that the alcohol industry generates about 475 billion dollars annually alone. If prohibition was never repealed, the U.S could have excess amounts of money. Prohibition, which was voted on December 17, 1917, stopped the production, transportation, and sale of alcohol. In the intention to stop violence caused my intoxication, prohibition only promoted more violence…

    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prohibition: Why Did America Change Its Mind? During The 1900’s, America suffered a severe problem regarding alcoholic beverages. A majority of the population were unable to drink responsibly, therefore, had to suffer certain consequences, such as Prohibition. In 1917, twenty six states voted themselves ‘dry’, which meant that these specific states would dismiss alcohol. The ratification of the 18th Amendment banned the manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors, a period in American…

    • 671 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    1920s, they didn’t know how history would be changed. America then changed its mind about Prohibition due to a rise in crime, a lack of law enforcement, and a loss of potential tax revenue. The first reason is due to a rise in crime. According to a graph published in a report in the US Census and FBI Uniform Crime from 2008,the homicide rate was 7 per 100,000 in 1919. This number increased to 9.8 by 1933, then decrease to 6 per 100,000 after the Great Depression. Prohibition and the influx in homicidal…

    • 310 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In 1919, America was on a crash course to intoxication. Many people were worried about the American People’s future. Many men and women joined forces to help prevent this. They created many organizations to push congress to pass the 18th Amendment. Once it was passed things were downhill from there. That is why Prohibition had a large effect on America because of the passing of the 18th Amendment, crimes during Prohibition, and the 21st Amendment. Many people wanted Prohibition. They pushed congress…

    • 520 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    To what extent was America willing to sacrifice their faith, morals, and values for the sake of freedom or that lack thereof, in looking at the nations differentiating reactions to Prohibition and the Scopes Trial? The morals and values that circulated America were based on Christianity. Prohibition was a time when America needed to determine their answer to the question of alcohol and stance in society. The Scopes Trial showed that America stood firmly behind its Christian beliefs and would permit…

    • 1057 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Prohibition: A misguided experiment Prohibition as we know was a failed experiment by the government in America. Prohibition lasted thirteen years from 1920-1933. The negative effects over those years obviously outweighed the positive effects, leading to the ratification of the 21st amendment which made the sale and consumption along with the production alcohol legal once more. Prohibition was pushed upon local and state governments by organizations such as the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union…

    • 1516 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    newly established Trans-Atlantic trade. In the time frame of 1450 CE-1750 CE, regions such as Spain had many changes to their economy in how they obtained resources and it drastically changed Native American’s population, but many European nations experienced little change in cultural life such as the continuance of slavery and religion because Christopher Columbus discovering the Americas. Before any European nation had heard of the New World, they were at constant war with neighboring nations for…

    • 888 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    fuel, and clothing. In contrast, America was stronger and more prosperous than before. A sense of nationalism spread all throughout the country similar to the sense of pride after World War I. The Americans were optimistic, they had money in their pockets, and soldiers were reunited with their sweethearts. American life greatly changed politically, socially, and economically after World War II. To begin with, there were many economic changes that occurred in America. After the war, there were no jobs…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays