Okla-homey
1/16/2009, 07:05 AM
January 16, 1919: Prohibition takes effect
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/1231/provoteddrykr4.gif
90 years ago today, in a failed attempt to legislate morality, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," is ratified in Nebraska and thereby becomes the law of the land.
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/2030/projohnbarleycornnr1.jpg
A tombstone for John Barleycorn who represented alcohol.
The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when mostly female Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming "temperance societies."
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/6314/propr079temperancehu8.jpg
Wives made husbands sign these things and then they framed them and hung them on the wall. Afterwards, husbands slipped down to the local bootlegger or speak-easy and had a drink.
By the late 19th century, and after the passage of womens sufferage, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level, threatening local politicians and calling for total national abstinence.
In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
Prohibition took effect in January 1919 after Nebraska became the 36th state to ratify it. Nine months later, Congress passed the Volstead Act, or National Prohibition Act, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of prohibition, including the creation of a special unit of the Treasury Department.
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/7734/proandrewvolsteadrj9.jpg
Rep. Andrew Volstead, R-MN, was the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and it was his duty to bring a sponsored bill on Prohibition before Congress. He wrote the National Prohibition Act which is often referred to as the Volstead Act. Volstead was in favor of prohibition, and was also an outspoken supporter of civil rights and civil rights legislation such as an Anti-lynching Law. Interestingly, in the election after Prohibition had been enforced, Andrew Volstead was not reelected. Maybe that tells us how his Minnesota constituents felt about prohibition.
Despite a vigorous effort by law-enforcement agencies, the Volstead Act utterly failed to prevent the large-scale distribution of alcoholic beverages. As a direct result of the social experiment, organized crime elements made billions trading and distributing the banned liquids and flourished in America like never before.
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/277/pro00186158ni2.jpg
Early alcohol destruction.
In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, repealing prohibition.
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/637/insane7zoao4.jpg
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/1231/provoteddrykr4.gif
90 years ago today, in a failed attempt to legislate morality, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," is ratified in Nebraska and thereby becomes the law of the land.
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/2030/projohnbarleycornnr1.jpg
A tombstone for John Barleycorn who represented alcohol.
The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when mostly female Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming "temperance societies."
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/6314/propr079temperancehu8.jpg
Wives made husbands sign these things and then they framed them and hung them on the wall. Afterwards, husbands slipped down to the local bootlegger or speak-easy and had a drink.
By the late 19th century, and after the passage of womens sufferage, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level, threatening local politicians and calling for total national abstinence.
In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
Prohibition took effect in January 1919 after Nebraska became the 36th state to ratify it. Nine months later, Congress passed the Volstead Act, or National Prohibition Act, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of prohibition, including the creation of a special unit of the Treasury Department.
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/7734/proandrewvolsteadrj9.jpg
Rep. Andrew Volstead, R-MN, was the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and it was his duty to bring a sponsored bill on Prohibition before Congress. He wrote the National Prohibition Act which is often referred to as the Volstead Act. Volstead was in favor of prohibition, and was also an outspoken supporter of civil rights and civil rights legislation such as an Anti-lynching Law. Interestingly, in the election after Prohibition had been enforced, Andrew Volstead was not reelected. Maybe that tells us how his Minnesota constituents felt about prohibition.
Despite a vigorous effort by law-enforcement agencies, the Volstead Act utterly failed to prevent the large-scale distribution of alcoholic beverages. As a direct result of the social experiment, organized crime elements made billions trading and distributing the banned liquids and flourished in America like never before.
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/277/pro00186158ni2.jpg
Early alcohol destruction.
In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, repealing prohibition.
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/637/insane7zoao4.jpg