Defining Stories of the 1930s: Top 10 Headlines Rewind

9. Prohibition in America

In 1919 the 18th Amendment was passed, prohibiting the sale of alcohol in the United States. This period of Prohibition would last until 1933, and was widely considered a failure due to its inability to stop people from drinking.

The period of Prohibition was enforced by the Volstead Act, which made it illegal for individuals to produce or consume alcohol. The act also created criminal penalties for anyone who violated the law. Despite its best efforts, Prohibition proved to be largely ineffective in curbing alcohol consumption across the country. It caused an increase in organized crime as gangs took advantage of the opportunity to supply illegal alcohol, leading to a rise in violence and corruption. Ultimately, Prohibition was repealed in 1933 as it became clear that it had failed to achieve its goal of reducing alcohol consumption.

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