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Prohibition in the United States


            Prohibition of alcohol (1920-1933), also referred to as the "noble experiment" was meant to reduce crime and corruption, improve health and hygiene, help solve social problems, and reduce the taxes created by prisons and poorhouses in America. Many things were learned from Prohibition and those things learned remain important today. Prohibition not only affected the people of America from 1920-1933 but remain to affect the decisions that are made today regarding prohibition of other substances or activities. To many people prohibition has been considered a failure. There are many facts to support this opinion and some facts to support in some ways that Prohibition was somewhat successful. People who were for Prohibition thought that it was the morally right thing to do and that it was an economically sound decision. People against prohibition thought it was invading people's rights and the Constitution. 1.
             The Volstead Act was the initiation of the 18th amendment. Andrew J. Volstead rewrote a previous bill that had been introduced to the Senate by Wayne Wheeler. Volstead rewrote the bill with the words that would "divise a scheme that would fit into Federal law and Federal conditions, and that would make that scheme air tight." Volstead added a system of permits for withdrawing industrial alcohol from storage and requirements for record keeping. The Volstead Act became a very controversial subject. One of the main concerns was that it held elected officials responsible for the law enforcement and this would cause the government to expand and spend more money. The Anti-Saloon League and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union were huge supporters of this bill. The Anti-Saloon League was very powerful and influential, along with Andrew Volstead in getting this bill passed. The bill was passed very quickly and the 18th Amendment was in affect. The Constitution now prohibited the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor.


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