The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1919, aimed to establish the prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the United States. The goal was to reduce the consumption of alcohol in order to decrease crime, corruption, and social problems associated with alcohol use. It was part of a broader temperance movement that sought to improve society by eliminating the perceived negative effects of alcohol. Prohibition officially took effect on January 17, 1920, with the passage of the Volstead Act, which provided for the enforcement of the amendment. However, the amendment ultimately led to unintended consequences, including the rise of illegal speakeasies and organized crime, and it was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.
What was the goal of the 18th Amendment?
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