Should The 18th Amendment Be Abolished Dbq Essay

The 1920s were a time of innovation and progress, and American society was changing. 1919 brought the ratification of the 18th amendment, also known as the Prohibition. According to Dictionary.com, the term “Prohibition” means to forbid (an action, activity, etc.) by authority or law. Although many thought that the Prohibition of alcohol would be a remedy for society, it ultimately caused more problems than it solved. From increased homicide rates to bootlegging and illegal smuggling, the Prohibition, also known as the Volstead Act, caused major issues for the American government. The 18th Amendment was repealed due to its negative effects on American society. In many people, the act of having their rights revoked may cause them to lash out. With the ratification of the 18th Amendment, it became illegal to sell, manufacture, and consume alcohol. Around the same time, it was reported that the number of
homicides per 100,000 people had increased. Over a period of 50 years, the homicidal tendencies of America were tracked. In 1919, they averaged around 7 murders per 100k people. By the time 1933 rolled around, that number had jumped to 10 per 100k (Doc B). Prohibition put stress on society, making people more likely to lash out more often. Enforcing the 18th Amendment was difficult when the very men who authorized its ratification couldn’t uphold it themselves. Mabel Walker Willebrandt, Deputy U.S. Attorney General for Prohibition Enforcement, wrote, “The very men who made the Prohibition law are violating in… how can you have the heart to prosecute a bootlegger… when you know for a fact that the men who make the laws...are themselves patronizing bootleggers?” These lawmakers were setting the worst example for those under them that had to follow the law and were prosecuted if they do not (Doc D). When scandals like these hit the newsstands, to lead to many more Americans to support the repeal of the 18th Amendment. When the American government outlawed the alcohol trade, they lost millions of dollars in taxes.
With the rise of Prohibition, the United States government lost more than enough money to pay for the National debt and then have $200,000,000 to use elsewhere. Initially this was no problem, but by the time that the government officials figured out that even though the manufacturing and selling of alcohol was illegal, an underground market had sprung up, causing the government to lose tax money (Doc E). Losing this tax was another reason that the United States decided to repeal the 18th Amendment. Losing money, government scandal, and an increased homicide rate are all negative outcomes of the Prohibition. Finally, after 14 years of this new law, the U.S. government decided, for the first time in history, to repeal an Amendment. On December 5th, 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified, which officially repealed the 18th Amendment and allowed for the alcohol trade to start up again. This finally lead to an end to one of the most destructive laws in American
history.