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Maine outlawed alcohol
Maine was the first state to outlaw alcohol, but the law was repealed in 1856 -
Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed
Annie Wittenmyer was elected president of this group when it was founded. This group fought for women's rights and prohibition. After 1898 it mainly focused on prohibition. Unfortanatly for the loyal members of this group, membership started to decline after the 18th Amendment was passed. -
The 18th Amendment was ratified
The 18th Amendment outlawed the production, transpiration, and sale of alcohol. Forty-four states approved the 18th Amendment within two years of its introduction. -
The National Prohibition Act aka the Volstead Act passed
the 18th Amendment outlawed the production, transportation, and sale of "intoxicating liquors", but it didn't say what "intoxicating liquors" were and didn't set up any consequences of being caught with them. This act defined exactly what an "intoxicating liquor" was and enforced the 18th Amendment. -
Speakeasys
Another one of the many illegal businesses that popped up was the infamous speakeasy. These were illegal bars that sold alcohol. They varied from fancy buildings with jazz music and beautiful decor to gross basements that were dirtier than a hog barn. Many organized crime leaders, like Al Capone, took advantage of the popularity of these bars and made quite a profit supplying them with alcohol -
Bootleggers
With the 18th Amendment being ratified, a new type of criminal was born. Bootleggers, who made and transported foriegn alcohol illegally, thrived under this new Amendment. -
Organized crime
Due to the 18th Amendment, Organized crime grew exponentially. Gang leaders like Al Capone made millions on illegal liquor and speakeasies they produced and controlled. Many people blamed the increase of organized crime on the 18th Amendment and called for it to be repealled -
21st Amendment Passed by Congress
Prohibition and the 18th Amendment were becoming very unpopular with the American people by 1930 and they just wanted this whole mess to end. -
21st Amendment is ratified
The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment, effectively ending prohibition and making alcohol legal again. -
Prohibition Now
Even though Prohibition lost significant popularity in the 1930's, there are still some groups supporting it now like the Prohibition Party.
