The United States of America Constitutional 21st Amendment History
The Constitution of the United States is one of the most amended Constitutions in the world. Since its enactment, this constitution has been amended twenty seven times. One of such amendments is the 21st amendment, which was ratified in 1933. The convention unlike others, was ratified by state ratifying conventions.
The 21st amendment was made to repeal the 18th amendment. Of all the constitutional amendments in the United States of America, only the 21st amendment attempts to repeal another amendment. The 21st amendment history, therefore stems from the 18th amendment.
The 18th amendment placed a ban or prohibition on all alcoholic and intoxicating substances. This amendment is also usually referred to as the prohibition. The 21st amendment sought to repeal this prohibition on sale and use of alcoholic beverages. The movement for the ban of alcohol had started as far as the 19th Century, with some Americans showing concern about the effects of drinking. It is the gained popularity of this movement that pushed the prohibition law.
It is, therefore, important to note that, among others, the 21st amendment history was a result of the failure of the prohibition laws. The prohibition law failed because it only applied to manufacture and distribution as opposed to actual consumption. In this period of prohibition, it was difficult attaining alcoholic beverages, but people still did everything they could inorder to get these beverages. During this period, the rate crime increased because people engaged in illegal activities to attain alcohol. Many crime lords became rich as a result of this amendment, while others simply ignored the law. One crime lord who profited was Al Capone, a Chicago gangster who made millions of dollars from illegal alcohol sales.
From the increasing crime rate and corruption in the country, it became clear that the 18th amendment was not bound to succeed. It also became apparent that no benefits were to be realized from alcohol bans, thus the need for an amendment.
However, since the debate was two sided, amending the 18th amendment was not an easy thing. Some members felt, that the ban on alcohol was necessary and they formed the Temperance movement. The movement gained a lot of popularity and political power, thus making the amendment much harder. The congress, therefore, had to devise new means for attaining the approval required for ratification of a constitutional amendment and the method finally adopted was one where one state had one vote.
The 21st amendment after ratification gave States the power, to make laws that regulated alcohol consumption and manufacture. The amendment, therefore, gave states the mandate to enact their own alcohol laws and regulations.
However, it is, important to note that, despite the amendment, some states refused to change the prohibition law till a later time. States like Missouri and Kansas remained alcohol free for some time after the 21st amendment.
It is, noted, that the 21st amendment history is the history of the 18th amendment.
The Constitution of the United States is one of the most amended Constitutions in the world. Since its enactment, this constitution has been amended twenty seven times. One of such amendments is the 21st amendment, which was ratified in 1933. The convention unlike others, was ratified by state ratifying conventions.
The 21st amendment was made to repeal the 18th amendment. Of all the constitutional amendments in the United States of America, only the 21st amendment attempts to repeal another amendment. The 21st amendment history, therefore stems from the 18th amendment.
The 18th amendment placed a ban or prohibition on all alcoholic and intoxicating substances. This amendment is also usually referred to as the prohibition. The 21st amendment sought to repeal this prohibition on sale and use of alcoholic beverages. The movement for the ban of alcohol had started as far as the 19th Century, with some Americans showing concern about the effects of drinking. It is the gained popularity of this movement that pushed the prohibition law.
It is, therefore, important to note that, among others, the 21st amendment history was a result of the failure of the prohibition laws. The prohibition law failed because it only applied to manufacture and distribution as opposed to actual consumption. In this period of prohibition, it was difficult attaining alcoholic beverages, but people still did everything they could inorder to get these beverages. During this period, the rate crime increased because people engaged in illegal activities to attain alcohol. Many crime lords became rich as a result of this amendment, while others simply ignored the law. One crime lord who profited was Al Capone, a Chicago gangster who made millions of dollars from illegal alcohol sales.
From the increasing crime rate and corruption in the country, it became clear that the 18th amendment was not bound to succeed. It also became apparent that no benefits were to be realized from alcohol bans, thus the need for an amendment.
However, since the debate was two sided, amending the 18th amendment was not an easy thing. Some members felt, that the ban on alcohol was necessary and they formed the Temperance movement. The movement gained a lot of popularity and political power, thus making the amendment much harder. The congress, therefore, had to devise new means for attaining the approval required for ratification of a constitutional amendment and the method finally adopted was one where one state had one vote.
The 21st amendment after ratification gave States the power, to make laws that regulated alcohol consumption and manufacture. The amendment, therefore, gave states the mandate to enact their own alcohol laws and regulations.
However, it is, important to note that, despite the amendment, some states refused to change the prohibition law till a later time. States like Missouri and Kansas remained alcohol free for some time after the 21st amendment.
It is, noted, that the 21st amendment history is the history of the 18th amendment.