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Temperance Societies adopt stricter approach toward alcohol
During the 1830's, the American Temperance Society a adopted stricter approach to alcohol consumption. The Society pushed for people to refrain from drinking alcohol at all. They spread their word through writings and lectures which would gain them more than a million members nationwide. -
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The 18th Amendment
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Organization of the National Prohibition Party
In 1869, temperance supporters organized the National Prohibition Party. The new political party called for Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution to ban the traffic of liquor. -
The founding of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
In 1874, a group of women founded a national temperance organization in Cleveland, Ohio called the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The WCTU staged "pray-ins" outside of establishments that sold liquor, forcing some illegal saloons to shut down. The group would also create educational programs to teach the dangers of alcohol. -
The Creation of the Anti-Saloon League
In 1893, clergyman Howard Hyde Russell founded the Anti-Saloon League in Oberlin, Ohio. The Anti-Saloon League engaged with the Protestant churches and both major political parties to publish political pamphlets and give speeches to support the temperance and Prohibition. The League would target politicians in all levels of government and used the hatred towards Germans during WW1 to gain support, seeing that many alcohol companies where run by Germans. -
The Webb-Kenyon Act and the Reed Amendment.
In 1913, the Webb-Kenyon Act was passed which allowed states to restrict the direct shipment of imported alcoholic beverages to consumers for personal use. Then in 1917, Congress enacted the Reed Amendment to penalize anyone who imported alcohol into a "dry" state. The Reed Amendment is not to be confused for a Constitutional Amendment, it is like an act even though it is labeled an amendment. -
Proposal of The 18th Amendment
On April 4 of 1917, Texas Senator Morris Sheppard introduced the joint resolution that would, as revised, become the 18th Amendment. The Prohibition supporters saw this as the perfect time because of the Anti-Saloon League's high political influence throughout the government. The amendment would not be considered however until it was revised later during the summer. -
Approval of The 18th Amendment
On December 18 of 1917, Congress revisited the proposal of the 18th Amendment after it was revised. With the Anti-Saloon League's massive political influence, the proposal was approved by a vote of 282 to 128. That number is significant because the different parties had to work together to achieve it. The Amendment was then sent to the states to be voted on before becoming ratified. -
The War-Time Prohibition Act
In May of 1918, Congress enacted the War-Time Prohibition Act. The Act would ban the sale of "intoxicating" alcoholic beverages until the president declared an end to the country's mobilization in WW1. By slowing down company's production, the U.S. was able to use the production buildings to make wartime materials. -
Ratification of The 18th Amendment
On January 29 of 1919, Acting Secretary of State Frank L. Polk certified that the votes received from the states were over the mark and the 18th Amendment would be added to the Constitution. The Amendment would ban the production and sale of alcohol for recreational purposes. However the 18th Amendment wouldn't take effect until the next year on January 17 of 1920. -
The 18th Amendment Takes Effect
On January 17 of 1920, The 18th Amendment became effective and the production and sale of alcohol for recreational purposes became illegal. Bars and saloons started to close and people started to dump alcohol into the sewers. The 18th Amendment was going just as planned, well at least until the black market and other illegal activity sparked up.