The 18th Amendment and Prohibition in the US: Crime, Organized Syndicates, and Societal Consequences
Overview
This paper examines the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution and its prohibition of alcohol production, transportation, and sale from 1920 to 1933. The author argues that contrary to the intentions of moral reformers and religious groups, Prohibition resulted in increased crime rates, the rise of organized crime syndicates, the proliferation of illegal speakeasies, and economic hardship rather than achieving its intended goals of promoting morality and reducing crime.
What this essay covers
- Introduction outlining the 18th Amendment's passage in 1919 and activation in 1920, and its eventual repeal in 1933
- Discussion of how Prohibition resulted in rising crime rates, poverty, prostitution, and illegal alcohol production
- Analysis of speakeasies and clip joints as illegal establishments that emerged during Prohibition
- Examination of organized crime growth facilitated by high demand for illegal alcohol
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Prohibition in the US
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Prohibition in the US
Introduction
The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, also known as the Prohibition, barred the manufacture, transportation, and sale of toxic liquors. This resulted from high crime rates due to alcohol consumption during the 19th century. The law was hard to enforce after passing, leading to increased crime rates, poverty, as well as illegal sale and production of liquor. The 18th Amendment is one of the Acts of the US Constitution that has often been contentious and divided opinions on its success or failures. The Amendment was ratified in January 1919 and became active in January 1920. The passing of the Amendment illegalized the production, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquors illegal. However, it did not prohibit the actual alcohol consumption in the US. The move to pass the 18th Amendment was motivated by movements, religious groups, and activists' desire to make the society better and promote morality in the country by outlawing alcohol. However, the 18th Amendment did not achieve the intended results in its repealing in 1933. Notably, this paper will discuss how the Amendment resulted in increased crime rates, poverty, prostitution, and illegal sale and production of illicit liquor, among other unwanted activities.
Proponents of the Prohibition had argued that banning alcohol sales would lower the prevalence of crime, which did not happen because the law contributed to crime rise in the US The Great Depression also played a significant role in the failing of the 18th Amendment.