The Reversal of Prohibition: The Twenty-First Amendment
In a significant historical turn on December 5, 1933, the United States witnessed the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment to the Constitution. This critical amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, effectively ending a national prohibition that had banned the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol across the country. The official language of the amendment marks a clear end to the previous restrictions, stating:
“The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.”
Furthermore, it sets limitations on the transportation or importation of intoxicating liquors into any State, Territory, or Possession of the U.S. for delivery or use, in violation of local laws. The amendment also specifies that it would only come into effect upon ratification by conventions in the several States, a unique method of amendment ratification.
The backstory of this amendment is deeply intertwined with the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act of 1919, which collectively ushered in the era of prohibition. Despite the initial decrease in alcohol-related crimes and the seeming success of prohibition in the early 1920s, the amendment inadvertently fueled an underground market for alcoholic beverages. This underground market not only led to a surge in illegal alcohol production but also intertwined closely with organized crime, notably with figures such as Al Capone. The widespread corruption and the eventual public disenchantment with prohibition prompted Congress to propose the Twenty-First Amendment, which was uniquely ratified by state conventions rather than state legislatures.
Upon its ratification, Secretary of State William Philips confirmed the amendment’s adoption, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt heralded it with a proclamation, expressing his trust in the American people’s moderation. The amendment lifted the ban on alcohol but left it to the states to regulate its sale, manufacture, and transportation. This decentralized approach led to a prolonged period of adjustment, with states like Mississippi and Kansas taking decades to fully repeal prohibition-era laws.
The amendment not only marked the end of prohibition but also set a precedent in constitutional amendment ratification. It underscored the dynamic nature of American legal and social norms, and its legacy continues to impact the regulation of alcohol in the United States.
What was the last Amendment repealed?
The last amendment to be repealed was the Eighteenth Amendment, through the adoption of the Twenty-First Amendment. This significant event ended the national prohibition on alcohol, a policy that had been in place since the early 20th century.
What does the 22nd Amendment do?
The Twenty-Second Amendment limits the tenure of the President of the United States to two terms or a maximum of ten years if they come into office via succession mid-term. This amendment was ratified in response to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term presidency, setting a precedent for presidential term limits.
What is in the 15th Amendment?
The Fifteenth Amendment guarantees that a citizen’s right to vote cannot be denied or abridged based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Ratified in 1870, this amendment was a crucial step towards ensuring voting rights for all, particularly former slaves and people of color in the post-Civil War era.
What is the timeline of the 18th Amendment?
The Eighteenth Amendment was ratified on January 16, 1919, marking the beginning of the prohibition era in the United States. It made the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages illegal nationwide. The prohibition era lasted until December 5, 1933, when the Twenty-First Amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, ending the national prohibition on alcohol.
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