Governments Responsibility
to protect those without a voice.
Since its birth, the United States government has had the responsibility to support the rights of its citizens, and to keep the peace.
In the years leading up to the 18th amendment, the US government believed that alcoholism was a social disease and that this epidemic was sweeping over the nation.
In the intrest of protecting its people and their well being, the 18th amendment was ratified on January 29, 1919, and was put into effect a year later.
In the years leading up to the 18th amendment, the US government believed that alcoholism was a social disease and that this epidemic was sweeping over the nation.
In the intrest of protecting its people and their well being, the 18th amendment was ratified on January 29, 1919, and was put into effect a year later.
Volstead Act
While it was the 18th Amendment that established Prohibition, it was the Volstead Act (passed on October 28, 1919) that clarified the law. The Volstead Act stated that "beer, wine, or other intoxicating malt or vinous liquors" meant any beverage that was more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. The Act also stated that owning any item designed to manufacture alcohol was illegal and it set specific fines and jail sentences for violating Prohibition.