December 17, 1917, the United States House of Representatives approve the 18th Amendment (which prohibit the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages of any sort in the United States) with a vote of 382 to 128.A day later, the US Senate agreed on the Amendment with a vote of 47 to 8. A year after, over three-quarters of the fifty states ratified the Amendment. The 18th Amendment officially went into effect somewhere in the early 1920s. America became known as the dry country. The 18th Amendment lasted for 13 years until both the Senate and the House voted to remove the Amendment.”Why did America change its mind on prohibition”? One main reason is because of it’s impact on law abiding citizens, another, is the effect of prohibition on people in government positions, and final is its’ influence on America’s economy. …show more content…
Due to this fact bootleggers,gangsters, and dope sellers were able to take full advantage of the situation (Doc A). More than a few “crime bosses” rose to fame by taking over illegal breweries and transportation networks (which were secured through violence means). Smugglers got around the law by importing alcohol three miles outside of American soil. The fact that there were only about 3,000-3,500 enforcement units stationed throughout the country made many of the operations very successful (Doc C). 1919 to 1933 had the highest rate of homicides (Doc B). This was around the time the prohibition law was passed. Prohibition made criminals out of everyday Americans. Criminals were profiting from Prohibition and the government was unable to enforce the law. This contributed to the repealing of the 18th