Protests Begin
Those who never wished for Prohibition to occur and desperately wanted to drink, usually found their way. Whether through bootlegging gangsters, or one of the thousands of speakeasy clubs in New York, people tended to drink despite its outlaw. Not only were the people an overwhelming force, but law enforces and the federal government did little to enforce their monumental law.
In 1930, George Cassidy, one of the leading bootleggers, confessed to ten years of illegally selling alcohol to congressmen and senators. He told his story to the Washington Post, who managed to point out Congress's hypocrisy and gave the public a even more mistrustful view of Prohibition.
As its popularity continued to decline, especially in larger cities, a repeal was highly anticipated. Not only did a lack of alcohol cause distress to the average working man, but also put a huge damper on the economy. Prior to the Volstead Act, about fourteen percent of federal, state, and local tax revenue came from the consumption of alcohol. With a great need for income fast, the government figured the production and sale of alcohol would create the desperately needed jobs.
On March 22, 1933, the repeal movement finally caught a break when President Franklin Roosevelt signed an amendment to the Volstead Act, known as the Cullen-Harrison Act. This act would legalize the sale of beer with an alcohol content of 3.2% and wines with a similarly low alcohol content, thought to be not enough alcohol for intoxicating. After signing, President Roosevelt famously quoted, "I think this would be a good time for a beer."
In 1930, George Cassidy, one of the leading bootleggers, confessed to ten years of illegally selling alcohol to congressmen and senators. He told his story to the Washington Post, who managed to point out Congress's hypocrisy and gave the public a even more mistrustful view of Prohibition.
As its popularity continued to decline, especially in larger cities, a repeal was highly anticipated. Not only did a lack of alcohol cause distress to the average working man, but also put a huge damper on the economy. Prior to the Volstead Act, about fourteen percent of federal, state, and local tax revenue came from the consumption of alcohol. With a great need for income fast, the government figured the production and sale of alcohol would create the desperately needed jobs.
On March 22, 1933, the repeal movement finally caught a break when President Franklin Roosevelt signed an amendment to the Volstead Act, known as the Cullen-Harrison Act. This act would legalize the sale of beer with an alcohol content of 3.2% and wines with a similarly low alcohol content, thought to be not enough alcohol for intoxicating. After signing, President Roosevelt famously quoted, "I think this would be a good time for a beer."
The 21st AMendment
December 5,1933: The 21st amendment was ratified which put an end to the Prohibition era and allowed the sale and consumption of alcohol. The amendment was first introduced by the Democratic party at its national convention in 1932. The following February, a typed amendment was brought before congress. The voting would then take place on November 7, 1933 and the amendment would be ratified in 36 different states. This amendment was also known as the Beer and Wine Revenue Act which was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Most states began selling, producing and consuming alcohol but it still took until 1966 for all states to adopt the amendment. However, even though Prohibition was over, the nation still had a long way to go.
Roosevelt still had to face the Great Depression which did not end until the end of WWII, when weapons production revived the economy. He still also had to crack down on the wave of organized crime that was left over from the Prohibition era. The 21st Amendment ended up closing an event that certainly would have changed the world as we know it today. But, as we now know, the long term consequences were already beginning to sprout.
Roosevelt still had to face the Great Depression which did not end until the end of WWII, when weapons production revived the economy. He still also had to crack down on the wave of organized crime that was left over from the Prohibition era. The 21st Amendment ended up closing an event that certainly would have changed the world as we know it today. But, as we now know, the long term consequences were already beginning to sprout.