18th Amendment Research Paper

Prohibition, the 18th Amendment, was the outlawing of the production and consumption of alcohol from 1920-1933. Advocates of Prohibition insisted that many issues and crimes often linked to alcohol would be eliminated if alcohol were to be illegal. However, this wasn't the case. Instead, crime increased. So many people protested the 18th Amendment, that it eventually was discontinued in 1933. The Prohibition period is important for American citizens, native and immigrant, to know about, because it provides good examples of the effects of Prohibition on anything, as well as teaches citizens about their right to protest. If the voice of protest is loud enough, sometimes you get the result you want. Prohibition initially started as a way to decrease

While one of the intended purposes of Prohibition was to reduce crime, Prohibition actually resulted in increased crime. “For every prohibition you create, you also create an underground.”, said Jello Biafra. Outlawing something like alcohol would only lead to people brewing, buying, and selling alcohol illegally. “The growth of the illegal liquor trade under Prohibition made criminals of millions of Americans” (Lerner “Prohibition). If brewers and buyers were caught, they would be arrested, which also increased prison population. This also started protests against the 18th Amendment. People against Prohibition argue that there is no need for the unnecessary crime that is created by Prohibition. Without the Prohibition laws, the acts committed by those who went against the laws wouldn't be considered

goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.” ― Abraham Lincoln Another important aspect of learning about Prohibition is understanding the right to protest. The government is going to make decisions that you may not agree with. Sometimes those decisions will negatively affect your life. Protesting these things will allow your voice, and many others' to be heard. Sometimes, when enough protest goes on, the government might take action in your favor. It happened with Rosa Parks, it happened with Prohibition, it happened with Civil Rights Movements, Women's Rights Movements, LGBT Rights Movements, and many more. Knowing about the 18th Amendment, alcohol Prohibition, is important for American citizens, because it teaches about the effects that Prohibition has on any subject, as well as the importance of the right to protest. Alcohol Prohibition was started to reduce crimes and alcoholism. However, it resulted in more unnecessary crime, and lead to many protests. Since the Amendment was discontinued, there is a bigger push for the promotion of responsible drinking and prevention of drunk