Premium Essay

Why Is The 18th Amendment Important

Submitted By
Words 365
Pages 2
In the 200+ year history of the United States, only one amendment, the 18th, has been repealed. The 18th amendment looked to prohibit the use, manufacture, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages. In order to fix some of America’s problems- such as corruption, abuse, crime, unemployment, and worker safety, most Americans, 80% of them, pushed for and achieved prohibition. However, America eventually repealed the 18th. The main factors when it came to this decision were an increase in crime, weak enforcement of the law and lack of respect for it, and economic reasons. Due to prohibition, crime had become rampant in America. Cartoonist Winsor McCay illustrates this problem perfectly. As long as the US government, Uncle Sam, supports

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

18th Amendment

...Karen Dade Ms. Benson US History, Block 4 5 May, 2014 Failure of the Prohibition 18th amendment was doomed to fail from the beginning. Numerous reasons show why it was a failure. Even though intentions were noble, the 18th amendment didn't achieve it's goals but rather caused many problems that it intended to be solved. The 18th amendment was a failing law from the beginning and had given many organized group of criminals power in corruption that caused crime in the U.S. The Volstead Act enforced the 18th amendment by “prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages for consumption" (Sann 62). The Volstead Act had clarify the law. The law had began with any type of intoxicating liquor beverage for example wine or beer over 0.5 percent alcohol. (Sann 62).It had also explained that by owning an item that promoted or tolerated alcohol became illegal. If the law was broken, there was a punishment which could bring you jail time. Even though the government enforced the law, there were many loopholes to drink legally. Citizens were only allowed the use of alcohol if you were prescribed by the doctor. Very large prescriptions were written which did not help the Volstead Act.(Sann 192) It did not help stop people from consuming alcohol. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was founded and organized in 1874 to encourage the 18th amendment. They were sent by the missionaries to spread the word about temperance. The issue was recognized...

Words: 890 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Essay About The 18th Amendment

...Beginning in 1920, the 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol, but the idea of sobriety began more than a century earlier. Eventually, religious groups, politicians, and social organizations supported total abolishment of alcohol, leading to Prohibition. The 18th Amendment caused an influx of organized crime and was eventually repealed in 1933. Why did Americans want the Prohibition amendment passed? How did Prohibition fit into the goals of the progressive reform? What were its effects, and why was it eventually repealed? And was the passage of this amendment right or wrong? The Prohibition, started with the ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1919. The ban was not officially put into effect until January...

Words: 850 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

15th Amendmet

...Rookard The Fifteenth Amendment and President Ulysses S. Grant The fifteenth amendment of the united states was made to create equal opportunity for voters in America without being discriminated against. I believe one of the good things Grant is known for was creating the first park – Yellowstone National Park – bringing together federal lands in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. I think the 15th amendment was a good idea because it overturned the preexisting statute prohibiting African-American citizens of the United States from suffrage so any previous station of servitude or slavery undertaken by any individual was immaterial with regard to the right to vote. The third reason I think that both the 15th amendment and Grant are good is because he successfully carried out his plan to integrate blacks, guarantee their rights, and support equality may be this: during Grant’s eight years in office, the South went from being half Republican to nearly entirely Democratic. The reason I support the 15th Amendment is because it was difficult to pass due to racism and prejudice in the south and Grant’s presidency, which he thought that having the votes of African Americans was more important for the future of the republican party, especially if it was able to be passed and he ran for a second election he’d win for sure, because he supported equal rights among voters although the abolishment of slavery started not long before its’ ratification. (The civil war and its aftermath: Civil Rights...

Words: 853 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Prohibition Alcohilism

...Prohibition began in 1920 and ending in 1933 in the United States. The 18th Amendment started the law which mentioned all intoxicating liquors whether it be sale, transportation, or any other related alcohol usage is prohibited. The Volstead Act also helped in enforcing prohibition for the amendment. During this time there was a lack of support in trying to ban alcohol amongst many individuals and groups but the ban still continued on thanks to the help of the Anti-Saloon League. This organization enabled legislation for the enforcement of national prohibition beginning in 1920. Although it was passed and did reduce the availability of alcohol, it failed to do what is was meant to do. Prohibition directly led to the increase in crime and corruption during the twenties, the public health problems associated with bootleg liquor, alcohol substitutes, the irritated tensions between religious, racial, social groups, and political disturbance. A nation of drunkards was persistent in the U.S. Neil Dowe gathered thousands of signatures demanding the ban of sale of alcohol. It was passed in Maine but sooner decayed over years. Temperant walked the streets and drunkenness of was no more. People found loopholes around the law such as liquor sellers hiding it underneath their pantlegs called bootleggers. Men were more occupied on drinking rather than supporting their own families. Prior to the 20th century, there had never been national attempt to restrict alcohol production in the America...

Words: 1184 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Bill of Rights and Amendments

...Bill of Rights and Amendments Bill of Rights and Amendments The Constitution provides that an amendment may be proposed either by the Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures. Since the President does not have a constitutional role in the amendment process, the joint resolution does not go to the White House for signature or approval. The original document is forwarded directly to NARA's Office of the Federal Register (OFR) for processing and publication. The OFR adds legislative history notes to the joint resolution and publishes it in slip law format. The Archivist submits the proposed amendment to the States for their consideration by sending a letter of notification to each Governor along with the informational material prepared by the OFR. The Governors then formally submit the amendment to their State legislatures. When a State ratifies a proposed amendment, it sends the Archivist an original or certified copy of the State action, which is immediately conveyed to the Director of the Federal Register. The OFR examines ratification documents for facial legal sufficiency and an authenticating signature. If the documents are found to be in good order, the Director acknowledges receipt and maintains custody of them. The OFR retains these documents until an amendment is adopted or fails, and then transfers the records to the National Archives...

Words: 1475 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Arguments Against Legalizing Marijuana

...Indian hemp is the least profitable because it only contains 1% THC and grown naturally. Commercial grade contains THC levels of 8-9%, and sinsemilla at 15-17%. Commercial grade is easier to cultivate which is why it is more common than sinsemilla. Marijuana is grown mostly in tropical areas where the weather is better for mass cultivation. Marijuana comes from domestic and international sources. A mass amount of the weed that enters the United States is from Mexico and Canada. It is also grown in the United States for everyday use. Weed is grown both indoors and outdoors, and is sold by individuals rather than organized crime groups (Odabasi,...

Words: 941 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

The Evolving Woman

... The role women play in our society is and has been an ever-changing one, from mother to doctor to soldier and everything in between. With increasing standards and demands on them to be the one who keep’s the family grounded and together in a chaotic society that thinks none to highly of them or their rights as citizens. I chose to focus on women’s changing roles during the time period from 1865 through 1920 and then through 1920 to this present day. The reason I chose to focus on the women of our history is because this was a very unstable time in history, due to the changing status of minorities in the culture at this time due to the end of the Civil War and the impending revolution for women’s rights with the passage of the 19th amendment. Dating as far back as the early 1800's women’s roles were consistently being challenged and questioned, it was not so much the women’s rights marches of the 60's but it was the beginning of that revolution. During the early part of the 19th century women’s character was separated with four basic attributes: piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity. Even the foreign visitors to America during this period found fault in American male’s attitude towards women, they thought males treated women as inferiors and subjected women to double standards. "By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law; that is, the very being and legal existence of the woman is suspended during marriage." This is according to a 1765 law established...

Words: 2425 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Progressive Movement

...women’s suffrage worked to give American women the representation they deserved. The entirety of the occupation issues found  hazardous and inhumane were addressed to guarantee workers proper work conditions, reasonable hours, and deserved wages. The United States government also took steps to attempt reducing crime rate and help solve social issues by passing prohibition in the 18th Amendment.     The movement for women’s suffrage began long before the 1920s and was estimated to have started decades prior to the Civil War. It was then that women gathered the bravery to question why they were denied the unalienable right of voting. Women throughout the country demanded their voices be heard.  Despite the relentless setbacks, such as the Civil War, women pressed on and refused to lose steam.  In 1890, the group known as the National American Woman Suffrage Association was formed as a final outcry that women would not quit their peaceful fight until they earned the right to vote.  However, it was not until the Progressive Era that the finishing mark of progress occurred.  Finally in the year 1920, the 19th Amendment was passed, allowing women to finally vote.     Early American work conditions were poor and inhumane.  After constant pleas from exhausted workers, a change arose during the Progressive Movement.  Laborers did back-breaking work for seemingly endless hours and only received an insulting, inadequate pay.  Due to the Second Industrial Revolution, laborers were finally given...

Words: 1811 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Capital Punishment

...approved the method of execution by hanging or firing squad; the executions were made public in an effort to increase fear of committing a crime (Issitt, Micha L.Newton, Heather). Executions were abolished in 1972, by the Supreme Court during the Furman v. Georgia. The court ruled that death sentences are handed down arbitrarily, violating the 18th amendment of the U.S. constitution and where “cruel and unusual” (Farley Matchett). The United States did not perform any capital punishments for five years. Then, in 1976 the death penalty was reinstated and Gary Gilmore was the first person to be executed after this hiatus (Issitt, Micha L.Newton, Heather). In a modern society that values life, righteousness and justice, the United States is still part of a decreasing number of countries that still use this sort of punishment. The death penalty is a highly debatable topic since it makes it hard for an observer to pick a side, because for every point there is a counterpoint. From where I stand, after making extensive research, the death penalty has; killed innocent men in the past, has no moral grounds, it is barbaric, it violates the 18th amendment does not prevent a murderer from killing again, and it may only serve as a form revenge and not justice. We are getting closer to a death penalty free world out of 198 countries with only 20 still carry out executions, compared to 31 in 2002(amnesty.org). Despite this trend...

Words: 2075 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

15th Amendment

...An assignment on 15th amendment of the Bangladesh constitution. The 15th amendment of the Bangladesh constitution is perhaps the most debatable one in the post democratic era that follows the 1990 public upsurge against autocracy. The often pronounced justifications offered for this amendment is the ‘needs’ for returning to the spirit and contents of the founding constitution of 1972 of Bangladesh. Yet the 15th amendment rather accommodates some of the changes brought out by the 5th and 7th amendments, both made by the Martial Law regime and recently declared illegal and unconstitutional by the apex court of the country. 15th amendment, like most of the previous amendments, also largely failed to reflect comparative constitutional studies. Such study is considered essential for learning the experiences of constitutionalism in relevant jurisprudences and borrowing or adapting them in amending a nation’s own constitution. Although the 1972 constitution of Bangladesh was indigenous in part, the 1972 Constituent Assembly (led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) enriched our constitution by the same process of borrowing and/or adapting from models and concepts of foreign constitutions. For example: collective responsibility of ministers to Parliament and functions of parliamentary committees were taken from UK system, the concept of fundamental principle of state policy from India and Ireland, the provisions of human rights and Judicial review from US constitutional jurisprudence...

Words: 2036 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Bill Of Rights Research Paper

...Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of government, it did not fully elaborate on individual freedoms such as speech or religion. The founding fathers of our young nation understood the need for separate liberties for the citizens, and elected Madison to assemble a list to defend an individual’s sovereignty. Madison originally started with seventeen amendments to the Constitution, however, final approval was issued for ten; and these ten became known as the Bill of Rights with passage in 1791 (Bill of Rights Institute). However, when one interprets the Bill of Rights to mean one thing, others may believe something else. At times clarity is needed and this is when state and federal courts step in to elucidate and issue fair...

Words: 1161 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Unit 18

...Health and Safety in the Workplace | | | Unit Specification: | See VLE or Edexcel.com\Qualifications | | | Feedback Header Sheet: | CF015 will be attached for formative and summative feedback | | | Learning Outcomes relevant to assignment linked to:- | 1 Understand how health and safety legislation and regulations affect a business working environment | 2 Know the requirements for healthy, safe and productive working conditions | 3 Understand the role and responsibilities of key personnel | | Level 3Unit 24: Aspects of Criminal Law Relating to Business (10)Unit 26: Managing Business Information (10) | Tasks | Task Submission Dates | Task 1 a-c P1Task 2 a-b M2Task 3 a-d P2Task 4 a P3Task 4 b Task b-c M1 D1 | Oct 1stOct 18th Nov 7th Nov 14th 21st Nov28th Nov | Performance Criteria Assessed in this assignment: Note that this IS / NOT a whole Unit assignment. | Pass | P1 | P2 | P3 | P4 | P5 | P6 | P7 | P8 | | | | Merit | M1 | M2 | M3 | M4 | | | | | | | | Dist | D1 | D2 | D3 | | | | | | | | | Comments and...

Words: 1270 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Financial Analysis

...Consequences of Accounting During the 2008 Financial Crisis Group 3 October 4th, 2011 Actors in the 2008 Financial Crisis   U.S. Government   European Union o  Commission o  Political figureheads   Banks o  U.S. o  E.U.   International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)   Investors and External Regulators 10/3/11 2 Actors in the 2008 Financial Crisis (US Government) o  Generally mentioned indirectly in the news articles o  Not in the forefront of the case, as banks were driving policy o  Presumably, wanted to allow U.S. banks to appear and remain competitive In the case of the financial crisis, being competitive meant not showing large losses on financial reports. Therefore, some leniency in accounting (e.g., use of Fair Value Accounting “FVA”) was allowed. Specific mechanism: move an asset from balance sheet (where assets must be valued at market price) to bank book until “maturity” of the assets 10/3/11 3 Actors in the 2008 Financial Crisis ( European Union „Commission & Figureheads“ ) European Commission o  Reluctant to change accounting rules o  Technical advisory International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) did not see FVA as a legitimate accounting technique o  Agreed to FVA only under political pressure E.U. Figureheads (i.e., heads of state) o  Initially, wanted to rely on advice of IASB o  After the collapse of AIG and increasing use of FVA by banks in U.S., the EU figureheads had to allow banks in E.U. to have the same tool for their...

Words: 1628 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

His/301

... | | |U.S. Constitution | Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1997, 1994 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course is an introduction to the historical, political, philosophical, and economic roots of the U.S. Constitution. It first reviews the philosophical arguments of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, those that supported and opposed ratification of the Constitution. The course then examines milestone Supreme Court decisions and the Court’s evolving interpretations of the Constitution. This course focuses on the first ten amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, and the issues of slavery and civil rights as seen through major court decisions. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed...

Words: 2946 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Credit Losses

...and many other variables make it very difficult to predict when credit losses are probable.  This accounting policy lead to gross understatements of expected credit losses in the recent crisis and contributed to crashes in the stock market. The exposure draft for Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Subtopic 825-15) aims to broaden the amount of information when calculating an allowance for expected credit losses.  The financial instruments that are in question are loans, debt securities, trade receivables, lease receivables, loan commitments and any other receivables that represent contractual rights to receive cash.  These changes with will apply to any entity that holds a financial asset and is not measured at current value.  The amendment seeks to include past information when calculating the figure.  Past information may include historical losses with similar assets, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that the...

Words: 4188 - Pages: 17