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Women's Christian Temperance Union Forms
The WCTU fought for prohibition for over 20 years as it's main goal but also wanted women's suffrage. In 1898 Frances Willard the leader of the WCTU died and the group started to focus even more on prohibition. -
Anti-Saloon League
The Anti-Saloon League was one of the leading groups in lobbying for prohibition. In 1895 it became a national organization that gained influence quickly. The league lobbied in all levels of government. -
Call for legislation
In 1906 the Anti Saloon League lobbied to have state level prohibition through the use of speeches, advertisement and public demonstration. -
WCTU and ASL March
Members from the WTCU and the ASL marched on Washington on December 10,1913. When the group reached the capital they presented several petitions for a constitutional amendment to to stop the manufacture and sale of alcohol. -
18th Amendment is proposed
In 1917 the 18th Amendment was proposed and passed through both houses of congress. It was later ratified by three fourths of the states in 1919. This Amendment banned the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol. -
18th Amendment goes into effect.
The 18th Amendment went into effect on January 16, 1920. It would remain in effect for the next 13 years. -
Bootlegging Thrives
After the 18th Amendment went into effect the demand for alcohol increased rapidly. This demand had people smuggling in liquor from foreign countries such as Canada and Mexico. The bootlegging trade eventually led to the rise of organized crime in America. -
Stock Market crash of 1929
In late 1929 the values on wall street plummeted which led to the Great Depression that continued to plague America for approximately 10 years. -
The Great Depression
The great depression is a period in american history where millions of investors lost everything they had, banks closed, and poverty was at an all time high. This caused a great demand for illicit liquor in the United States. -
21st Amendment Ratification
The ratification of the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment. By doing this the 21st amendment left prohibition up to the state and local governments. Prohibition still exists in some parts of the country, these areas are known as dry counties.
