About This Lesson
The 18th Amendment was passed in 1919 to ban the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors,” establishing Prohibition across the United States. Eight months after its ratification, Congress passed the Volstead Act to enforce Prohibition. However, federal agents and police had difficulty implementing these enforcements with the rise of organized crime, speakeasies and bootleggers. For those and additional reasons, support faltered in the early 1930's and Prohibition became the only Constitutional amendment to be repealed in United States history by the 21st amendment on December 5, 1933. In this lesson, students will learn about the reasons for Prohibition, the impact it had across the country, the reasons for its repeal, as well as its legacy in the United States.
