The prohibition of alcohol that took place in the 1920s was also known as "The Great Experiment". I think this is a perfect name for it, because in the long run that's all it really was, an experiment. The experiment was to see if by taking away alcohol, would the nation improve. Technically, the experiment was a success, overall crime lowered, accidents too, but because most people went to illegal measures to obtain alcohol regardless of the law, it had to be repealed. Although the prohibitions of drugs still stand, these laws are not necessarily obeyed by the citizens of the United States, just like during the Prohibition. This is mostly because illegal drugs and alcohol have one thing in common: they make people feel good. Most people just won't stand for laws that make it illegal to make yourself feel good.
The prohibition of alchohol and the prohibition of drugs are very similar in their foundations. In the 20's, people argued that Alcohol promoted violence, had considerable health risks, and caused an overall risk to the nations wellbeing. With these points in mind, congress passed the 18th amendment on December 18, 1917, and ratified it on January 16, 1919. This amendment stated that no person, of any age, could buy, sell, manufacture, or transport alcohol. The American public did not respond positively to this decision. Even though there were laws against it, people continued to buy, drink, and sell alcohol (Mowry 34). There were many health risks associated with alcohol. And like many illegal drugs, it can kill you after just one instance of misuse, which is known as alcohol poisoning. Also, alcoholism is hereditary, meaning that a person who had a parent or other close relative who was diagnosed with alcoholism runs the risk of getting the disease (227). .
The 20's was known as a time of change. People back then started thinking outside of the normal, fundamentalist state of mind.
