Prohibition was the banning of alcoholic beverages in the United States from 1920 to 1933 as a result of the 18th Amendment. Temperance movements in the 1800s led to the Lever Food and Fuel Control Act in 1917 temporarily banning breweries and distilleries during World War I. The 18th Amendment permanently banned the sale and production of alcohol nationwide in 1920 in hopes of improving health and reducing crime. However, people broke this law by making homemade liquor, frequenting underground speakeasies, and smuggling alcohol from Canada. Politicians and even President Harding admitted to drinking during Prohibition. The 21st Amendment in 1933 repealed the 18th Amendment, ending the "Noble Experiment" of Prohibition

1. ProhibitionBy Bryce Gildner

2. DefinitionProhibition was the banning of alcoholic beverages.

3. BackgroundTemperance movements had started in the 1800s. World War I was the first opportunity for prohibition to have a chance of passing and going into effect. People thought that the grains used in alcohol could be used for the soldiers in Europe which was a great opportunity for prohibition.

4. Background (Continued)Because of this, the Lever Food and Fuel Control Act went into effect in 1917. This law made breweries and distilleries close temporarily. But later, on January 17, 1920, a permanent ban of the sale, transportation, and the making of alcoholic beverages went into effect as a result of the 18th Amendment. Before the 18th Amendment went into effect, twenty-six out of the forty-eight states already banned alcohol. It was believed that with the 18th Amendment that people’s health would improve and the crime rate would drop.

5. Prohibition EraPeople started to break this law by making liquor at their homes and people went to speakeasies. Alcohol was smuggled to the U.S. from Canada. Whiskey could be obtained from doctors who wrote prescriptions for people who did not need it for medical needs.

6. Prohibition EraThe 18th Amendment did not prohibit people from drinking alcohol. So people bought lots of alcohol before the Amendment went into effect.

7. Prohibition EraMany politicians even admitted drinking alcohol during the Prohibition Era. Even President Harding kept the White House stocked with alcohol, even though he voted for Prohibition.

8. Prohibition EraIn 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified which repealed the 18th Amendment. Prohibition, or the Noble Experiment, lasted from 1920 to 1933. Some states still banned alcohol though. By 1966, all states were allowed to produce, transport, and sell alcohol.

9. SourcesInformation Sourceshttp://www.historicpatterson.org/Exhibits/ExhProhibition.phphttp://www.1920-30.com/prohibition/Picture Sourceshttp://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/FunFacts/Prohibition.htmlhttp://www.vintageperiods.com/prohibition.php