Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution has been formally amended 27 times, with over 11,000 amendments proposed. The Twenty-First Amendment, ratified in 1933, is the only amendment to repeal a previous one, namely the Eighteenth Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. The Twenty-First Amendment concluded the Prohibition Era, which had inadvertently caused a rise in organised crime and corruption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of amendments that have been repealed | 1 |
| Name of the amendment | Eighteenth Amendment |
| Year of repeal | 1933 |
| Date of repeal | December 5, 1933 |
| Amendment that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment | Twenty-First Amendment |
| Subject of the Eighteenth Amendment | Prohibition of alcohol |
| Subject of the Twenty-First Amendment | Repeal of Prohibition |
| Reason for repeal | Increase in crime and ties to organized crime |
| Method of repeal | Ratification by state ratifying conventions |
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What You'll Learn
The Twenty-First Amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment
The Twenty-First Amendment to the United States Constitution repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had established a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. The Eighteenth Amendment was ratified on January 16, 1919, after years of advocacy by the temperance movement, which held that a ban on alcohol would eliminate poverty and improve societal issues.
However, the Eighteenth Amendment ultimately proved to be unenforceable and highly unpopular, with many Americans continuing to drink despite the ban. This gave rise to a profitable black market for alcohol, fueling the rise of organized crime. Criminal organizations bribed businesses, political leaders, and police departments with illegal alcohol, effectively crippling the ability to enforce the amendment.
By the 1930s, public sentiment towards prohibition had flipped, and Congress was compelled to act. On February 20, 1933, Congress initiated the Blaine Act and proposed the Twenty-First Amendment to end prohibition. The Twenty-First Amendment was ratified on December 5, 1933, and it is the only amendment in American history to repeal a prior amendment.
The Twenty-First Amendment expressly repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and banned the importation of alcohol into states prohibiting its consumption. The amendment also restored the states' power to regulate alcohol, although several "`dry states'" continued to exist in the years following. The Twenty-First Amendment thus concluded the Prohibition Era, marking a unique segment in early 20th-century American history.
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The Eighteenth Amendment prohibited alcohol
The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibited alcohol, was passed by Congress on December 18, 1917, and ratified on January 16, 1919. The amendment established the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, making it illegal to manufacture, transport, or sell intoxicating liquors. However, it did not outlaw the consumption of alcohol.
The Eighteenth Amendment was the culmination of decades of efforts by the temperance movement, which argued that prohibiting alcohol would eliminate poverty and improve societal issues such as immoral sexual behaviour and violence. The movement also believed that prohibition would lead to happier families, reduced workplace accidents, and an overall better world. The Anti-Saloon League (ASL), founded in 1893, played a significant role in advocating for the amendment, and by 1916, 23 out of 48 states had already passed laws against saloons, with some even banning alcohol production.
The amendment had a significant impact on alcohol consumption in the United States, but enforcing it nationwide proved challenging. Alcohol smuggling, known as rum-running or bootlegging, and illicit bars, called speakeasies, became prevalent. The illegal alcohol industry also fostered ties with organised crime organisations, such as the Chicago Outfit led by Al Capone, who used their profits to corrupt police and other officials, hindering the enforcement of the amendment.
Public sentiment towards prohibition began to shift during the 1920s, and by the early 1930s, opposition to it had gained significant momentum. The failure of the amendment to effectively curb alcohol consumption, along with the rise in organised crime and public contempt for authority, contributed to the growing demand for its repeal. In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Democratic presidential nominee, called for an end to prohibition.
On December 5, 1933, the Eighteenth Amendment was repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment, making it the only constitutional amendment in American history to be repealed. The repeal marked a significant turning point in early 20th-century American history, and it took time for individual states to lift their Prohibition-era laws, with Mississippi being the last state to do so in 1966.
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The Twenty-First Amendment was ratified by state conventions
The Twenty-First Amendment to the United States Constitution was unique for several reasons. Firstly, it was the only amendment to repeal a prior amendment, in this case, the Eighteenth Amendment, which had mandated a nationwide prohibition on alcohol. Secondly, it was the only amendment to have been ratified by state ratifying conventions, specifically selected for this purpose.
The Eighteenth Amendment, which had been ratified on January 16, 1919, was the result of years of advocacy by the temperance movement, which argued that a ban on alcohol would reduce poverty and societal problems. However, the amendment proved to be highly unpopular, with many Americans continuing to drink, leading to a thriving black market for alcohol and a subsequent rise in organised crime.
The Twenty-First Amendment was proposed by the 72nd Congress on February 20, 1933, and was ratified by the requisite number of states on December 5, 1933. The amendment included a provision that had never been used before, with state conventions, rather than state legislatures, being called for ratification votes. This was done out of fear that the temperance lobby would influence state lawmakers.
Utah became the 36th state to approve the amendment, with the Acting Secretary of State, William Phillips, certifying that it had been passed by the required three-fourths of the states. The amendment officially ended national prohibition and gave states the authority to regulate alcoholic beverages within their borders.
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Prohibition led to an increase in organised crime
The Eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, which came into effect on 17 January 1920, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors. However, it did not outlaw the consumption of alcohol, and many people continued to drink despite the laws. This created a lucrative opportunity for organised crime syndicates, who were more than happy to meet the demand for illegal liquor.
The illegal alcohol trade was extremely profitable, and criminal organisations used these profits to bribe businesses, political leaders, and police departments. This led to the corruption of law enforcement and the selective enforcement of Prohibition laws, further enabling the growth of organised crime. The profits from illegal liquor sales also helped to finance other criminal activities, such as gambling, prostitution, and racketeering.
One of the most notorious gangsters of the Prohibition era was Al Capone, who became the boss of the Chicago Outfit in 1925. At its height in the late 1920s, Capone's criminal empire reached an estimated $100 million in revenue from liquor distribution, speakeasies, beer brewing, and other illicit activities. Capone's influence extended beyond Chicago, and he was able to corrupt law enforcement and evade prosecution for years, despite the efforts of agents like Elliot Ness and the "Untouchables".
The rise of organised crime during Prohibition led to increased violence and lawlessness. Rival gangs competed for control of the lucrative alcohol trade, leading to shootings, bombings, and killings. More than 1,000 people were killed in New York alone during Prohibition due to Mob clashes. The period also saw the formation of powerful crime families, such as the five families of the New York Mafia, led by bosses like Charles "Lucky" Luciano, who created the modern brand of organised crime.
The failure of Prohibition to curb alcohol consumption and the rise of organised crime led to a shift in public sentiment. By the 1930s, public opinion had turned against Prohibition, and anti-prohibition groups worked to have the Eighteenth Amendment repealed. On 5 December 1933, the Twenty-First Amendment was ratified, ending the Prohibition era and restoring the legality of alcohol production, sale, and transportation.
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The Twenty-First Amendment was unique in its purpose
The Twenty-First Amendment to the United States Constitution is unique for several reasons. Firstly, it is the only amendment out of 27 that has repealed a previous amendment. Specifically, it repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had established a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. This ban, known as Prohibition, had been in place since 1919 and was the result of decades of lobbying by the temperance movement, which argued that banning alcohol would eliminate poverty and improve social issues such as immoral sexual behaviour and violence.
However, Prohibition ultimately proved to be a failure. It was unable to prevent the mass distribution of alcoholic beverages and instead caused a massive increase in organised crime. Criminal organisations, such as the Chicago Outfit led by Al Capone, used the profits from illegal liquor sales to bribe businesses, political leaders, and police departments, effectively preventing the enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment. This led to widespread flouting of Prohibition laws, which in turn undermined respect for the law and encouraged an attitude of contempt for authority.
By the early 1930s, public sentiment towards Prohibition had flipped from positive to negative, and Congress was compelled to act. On February 20, 1933, Congress proposed the Twenty-First Amendment to end Prohibition. The amendment was unique in that it was the first to be ratified by state ratifying conventions rather than by state legislatures. This was likely due to the continued political power of the temperance lobby, which made it politically prudent to leave legislators "off the hook" by ratifying the amendment through conventions.
The Twenty-First Amendment was ratified on December 5, 1933, officially ending Prohibition. This amendment was unique in its purpose to repeal a previous addition to the Constitution and in the way it was ratified, marking a significant moment in early 20th-century American history.
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Frequently asked questions
The Eighteenth Amendment, which established a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, was the first and only amendment to be repealed.
The Eighteenth Amendment was repealed by the Twenty-First Amendment on December 5, 1933.
The Eighteenth Amendment was repealed due to its negative impact on society, including increased crime and ties to organized crime groups, as well as a shift in public sentiment towards prohibition.
The Twenty-First Amendment concluded the Prohibition Era and restored the states' power to regulate alcohol. It is also unique in the way it was ratified, as it was ratified by state ratifying conventions rather than state legislatures.
