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Temperance Movement
The Temperance Movement was a social movement to discontinue the consumption of alcohol. Numerous groups advocated for this, especially women in rural areas. Their husbands would spend what little money they had on alcohol. These groups advocated for the national government to ban alcohol. -
Proposition of 18th Amendment
The 18th amendment was proposed a year before it was ratified. This would outlaw the manufacture, distribution and transport of alcohol. A person found guilty could charged with a federal crime. -
18th Amendment Ratified
The 18th amendment was ratified by 46 of 48 states. Connecticut and Rhode Island did not pass the amendment, but because of the supremacy clause they had to abide by the 18th amendment. -
Volstead Act
After the 18th amendment was ratified laws must be passed in order for the amendment to be enforced. Woodrow Wilson vetoed the Volstead Act, but the veto was overturned by Congress. -
Organized Crime
Prohibition led to an influx of organized crime especially in large cities. Gang leaders used people's desire to drink to build their empire. Al Capone was one of the biggest mobster during prohibition. He would make close to 60 million dollars every year and owned over 10,000 speakeasies. Violence against rival gangs and gang leaders paying off the police made the cities very dangerous. -
St. Valentine's Massacre
The St. Valentine's Massacre would happen as a result of gang feuds in Chicago. Al Capone's gangster dressed up as cops and were pretending to raid a rival gang. Seven men were lined up against a wall and murdered. -
John D. Rockfeller's Speech
"When prohibition was introduced, I hoped that it would be widely supported by public opinion and the day would soon come when the evils effects of alcohol would be recognized. I have slowly and reluctantly come to believe that this has not been he result. Instead drinking has generally increased; the speakeasy has replaced the saloon; a vast army of lawbreakers has appeared; many of our best citizens have openly ignored prohibition; respect for the law has been greatly lessened." -
Proposition of 21st Amendment
The 21st amendment was proposed because of the organized crime, and gang violence in large cities. The federal government could also tax alcohol. The federal government needed money as the Great Depression was in full effect. -
Cullen-Harrison Act
Named after it authors, the Cullen-Harrison Act legalized the manufacture, distribution and transport of alcohol. President Roosevelt signed this. -
Ratification of 21st Amendment
Prohibition was officially over on December 5, 1933. A few local cities had local laws that prohibited alcohol, but nationally there was no restriction against alcohol. Utah was the final state to ratify the 21st amendment.
