Prohibition
Many bars had to dump
their alcohol into sewers
to get rid of it
The 18th Amendment, established on January 16th, 1919, made the production and sale of alcohol illegal in America. As a result, a rise in crime occurred as people tried to smuggle illegal alcohol into the 48 states. Although alcohol was not allowed, whiskey could be obtained by prescription with a doctor's note. During Prohibition in the 1920s, millions of gallons of alcohol were distributed through prescriptions.
In California, the grape growing industry halted growing grapes to make wine. As a result, many people in this and other alcohol-related industries lost their jobs. Gangsters started to form organized crime groups to rob banks and other businesses in order to get money to purchase illegal alcohol. They were also hired to smuggle alcohol across the borders to get it to speakeasies, which were illegal bars that served alcohol that became popular in the 1920s.
Speakeasies were often found in homes, basements, or for more complex ones, they were located behind brick walls. By the end of the 1920s, even many of the country's teetotalers, or those who did not drink alcohol, thought the amendment should be repealed. After the government saw that there was an increase in divorce, fights, and general crime, in addition to having a huge economic impact on the country, it began the process of repealing the law. On December 5, 1933, the 18th Amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment, which made alcohol legal again. Soon, all 48 states had repealed prohibition and for the most part, our country was back on track.
In California, the grape growing industry halted growing grapes to make wine. As a result, many people in this and other alcohol-related industries lost their jobs. Gangsters started to form organized crime groups to rob banks and other businesses in order to get money to purchase illegal alcohol. They were also hired to smuggle alcohol across the borders to get it to speakeasies, which were illegal bars that served alcohol that became popular in the 1920s.
Speakeasies were often found in homes, basements, or for more complex ones, they were located behind brick walls. By the end of the 1920s, even many of the country's teetotalers, or those who did not drink alcohol, thought the amendment should be repealed. After the government saw that there was an increase in divorce, fights, and general crime, in addition to having a huge economic impact on the country, it began the process of repealing the law. On December 5, 1933, the 18th Amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment, which made alcohol legal again. Soon, all 48 states had repealed prohibition and for the most part, our country was back on track.