Prohibition Era: Intentions and Unintended Consequences

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The 18th amendment, generally known as prohibition or “noble experiment” prohibited the manufacture, transport and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. It was ratified in January 29, 1919 and came into effect a year later. Its intended effect was to eliminate crime and other social problems . However, it failed as it led to a rise in organized crime and worsened other social problems throughout the US, and by 1933 the 21st amendment repealed the 18th amendment and the prohibition era was over. Despite what people believe, prohibition of alcohol was not introduced to the united states with the 18th amendment. There had been prior cases of alcohol prohibition within States and cities. A great example of this is when in 1851 Maine …show more content…

Prohibition supporters expected Americans to seek other kinds of entertainment without consuming alcohol, therefore they expected the clothing industries, the soft drinks industries, and the theaters to skyrocket and improve their business. However, not only that did not happen, but thousand of jobs were lost due to close downs of breweries, distilleries, and other entertainment venues that could not make enough profit without selling alcohol. Billions of dollars were lost on tax revenue and the enforcement of the law cost 300 millions dollars annually to the government. The 18th amendment diminished the consumption of alcohol the first few months, however, not long time passed before “businessmen” realized new ways to pass under the law and make huge profit from it. These businessmen created “underground” secret bars called speakeasies which sold illegal alcohol to anyone who wanted to drink it and only a few years later the consumption of alcohol was even higher throughout the country than before the 18th amendment was put into effect. These illegal selling of alcohol gave birth to new well known gangs and criminals such as al capone who made millions of dollars by bootlegging, and did not hesitate to get rid of anything or anyone who got in his way. Because of that, arrests and violence were on their peak. Social problems such as the crowded prison systems and courts got even

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