【10/28 今日美史】国会强制执行禁令

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日

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10/28

Congress enforces prohibition

When

Where

Who

What

When:  1919

Where:  Washington, D.C.

Who：Andrew Volstead

What：

In this day in 1919, Congress passed the Volstead Act, overriding, on the same day, a veto by President Woodrow Wilson. The legislation enforced the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which banned the "manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes.”

The law implementing the amendment was named after Minnesota Republican Sen. Andrew Volstead (1860-1947), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. However, the Anti-Saloon League’s Wayne Wheeler conceived and wrote the bill.

Why

significant

The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for national liquor abstinence. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes,” was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. In January 1919, the 18th amendment achieved the necessary two-thirds majority of state ratification, and prohibition became the law of the land.

The Volstead Act, passed nine months later, provided for the enforcement of prohibition, including the creation of a special unit of the Treasury Department. Despite a vigorous effort by law-enforcement agencies, the Volstead Act failed to prevent the large-scale distribution of alcoholic beverages, and organized crime flourished in America. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, repealing prohibition.