By the beginning of the 20th century, alcohol had become a staple of American society, yet more and more groups began to realize the problems that came with alcohol consumption, such as work-related accidents and saloons being more common than schools, libraries, hospitals and other public buildings. In response, the American government enacted the eighteenth amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibited "the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors,” however, the amendment proved to be a failure. The eighteenth amendment to the US Constitution did not accomplish all of its planned intentions and was considered a failure as it resulted in the creation of organized crime for illegal alcohol trafficking, unimproved
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Prohibition devastated the national brewing industry, closing large alcohol manufacturers and causing thousands of Americans to be jobless. The unemployed could either try to find a low-pay job or participate in illegal bootlegging to support their families, and many turned to illegal as finding a job proved to be more difficult. Without the sell of alcohol, the government lost a substantial amount of revenue due to the absence of a federal tax on alcohol. The underground sale of alcohol resulted in the government losing money that they could have gained from a federal tax on alcohol. Prohibition also proved to be too expensive and hard to enforce, so the government could not accomplish the goals set out with the initial ratification of the 18th amendment. In addition to the worsened economic aspects, Prohibition caused physical harm to some Americans that switched to other substances or created their own alcohol. Some American people switched to other drugs if they could not access alcohol, obtaining opium, marijuana, cocaine and other dangerous substances. Homemade alcohol called moonshine did not always contain the correct ingredients; alcohol made from wood would cause a type of deadly alcohol poisoning. Deaths resulted not just from …show more content…
The Jazz Age ushered in a new era of American culture, where women gained new rights and more freedom. Women with loose morals, short hair and short skirts began to participate in the illegal alcohol activity, alongside men in speakeasies and hidden saloons. Women gained the right to vote with the nineteenth amendment, and due to this increased freedom, participated in illegal drinking. Prostitution rates increased and gambling in these disguised saloons reached a high never seen before. American men and women would take part in illegal activity together. The National Prohibition Act defined “intoxicating liquor” as having .5% alcoholic contest, yet allowed for alcohol in medicinal, sacramental, or industrial purposes, not matter the alcoholic content. This resulted in bootleggers creating their own versions or alcohol. In addition, homemade alcohol was mixed with soda, juice, and sugar-water, making it more palatable for more people and increasing the want to drink liquor. More and more Americans began drinking, which was the opposite of the intentions of the 18th amendment. As the government realized the eighteenth amendment could not be enforced and only increased the unwanted activities, the 21st amendment was passed, stating that the “transportation or importation into any State...of the United States
Prohibition devastated the national brewing industry, closing large alcohol manufacturers and causing thousands of Americans to be jobless. The unemployed could either try to find a low-pay job or participate in illegal bootlegging to support their families, and many turned to illegal as finding a job proved to be more difficult. Without the sell of alcohol, the government lost a substantial amount of revenue due to the absence of a federal tax on alcohol. The underground sale of alcohol resulted in the government losing money that they could have gained from a federal tax on alcohol. Prohibition also proved to be too expensive and hard to enforce, so the government could not accomplish the goals set out with the initial ratification of the 18th amendment. In addition to the worsened economic aspects, Prohibition caused physical harm to some Americans that switched to other substances or created their own alcohol. Some American people switched to other drugs if they could not access alcohol, obtaining opium, marijuana, cocaine and other dangerous substances. Homemade alcohol called moonshine did not always contain the correct ingredients; alcohol made from wood would cause a type of deadly alcohol poisoning. Deaths resulted not just from …show more content…
The Jazz Age ushered in a new era of American culture, where women gained new rights and more freedom. Women with loose morals, short hair and short skirts began to participate in the illegal alcohol activity, alongside men in speakeasies and hidden saloons. Women gained the right to vote with the nineteenth amendment, and due to this increased freedom, participated in illegal drinking. Prostitution rates increased and gambling in these disguised saloons reached a high never seen before. American men and women would take part in illegal activity together. The National Prohibition Act defined “intoxicating liquor” as having .5% alcoholic contest, yet allowed for alcohol in medicinal, sacramental, or industrial purposes, not matter the alcoholic content. This resulted in bootleggers creating their own versions or alcohol. In addition, homemade alcohol was mixed with soda, juice, and sugar-water, making it more palatable for more people and increasing the want to drink liquor. More and more Americans began drinking, which was the opposite of the intentions of the 18th amendment. As the government realized the eighteenth amendment could not be enforced and only increased the unwanted activities, the 21st amendment was passed, stating that the “transportation or importation into any State...of the United States