Is Prohibition Good Or Bad
Contrary to popular belief prohibition was not as effective as legislation designed. The amendment was designed to protect the United States as public drunkenness was seen as threat to the nation. Additionally, it was designed to crush and eliminate crime, corruption, improve social conditions, decrease the need for welfare and prisons, and improve the overall health of Americans.
It is estimated the United States did see a dramatic drop of “30 percent in alcohol consumption” (Nara). Additionally, in alcohol related deaths too, but the amendment caused more harm and had other adverse effects. The amendment drove legitimist businesses in to underground proving the way head to the large and pervasive black markets. Moreover, prohibition
left a distaste for the law and pushed lawful citizens to illegal business ventures, to include dealings with organized crime groups. Because of prohibition legal businesses that turned illegal no longer paid taxes, which hurt the government. Lastly, it strengthen organized crime.
When the amendment first passed it was vague and did not provide specific wording or enough for enforcement. For example; using alcohol for medical or religious purposes. In 1919, 9 months after ratification of the Amendment, the National Prohibition Act, known as the Volstead Act was passed. The Volstead Act provided enough wording for enforcement, the Act also created the Treasury Department. The Department along with law enforcement was suppose help enforce the Act and Amendment. However, with wide scale corruption, payoffs, among law enforcement agencies and government officials, the large scale distribution of sales, organized crime was too much to handle.
It is estimated the United States did see a dramatic drop of “30 percent in alcohol consumption” (Nara). Additionally, in alcohol related deaths too, but the amendment caused more harm and had other adverse effects. The amendment drove legitimist businesses in to underground proving the way head to the large and pervasive black markets. Moreover, prohibition
left a distaste for the law and pushed lawful citizens to illegal business ventures, to include dealings with organized crime groups. Because of prohibition legal businesses that turned illegal no longer paid taxes, which hurt the government. Lastly, it strengthen organized crime.
When the amendment first passed it was vague and did not provide specific wording or enough for enforcement. For example; using alcohol for medical or religious purposes. In 1919, 9 months after ratification of the Amendment, the National Prohibition Act, known as the Volstead Act was passed. The Volstead Act provided enough wording for enforcement, the Act also created the Treasury Department. The Department along with law enforcement was suppose help enforce the Act and Amendment. However, with wide scale corruption, payoffs, among law enforcement agencies and government officials, the large scale distribution of sales, organized crime was too much to handle.