The Prohibition Era (1920-1933) was enacted through the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors."

The movement to prohibit alcohol in the United States can be traced back to the early 19th century, when groups such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League began advocating for the temperance movement. These groups argued that alcohol was a destructive force in society and that its production and sale should be prohibited.

Speakeasies, so named because patrons were supposed to speak quietly about them to avoid attracting attention from the authorities, flourished during the Prohibition Era. Speakeasies filled the demand for alcohol by providing a place for people to drink and socialize, often in secret. They could be found in cities and towns across the country and ranged from small, makeshift operations to elaborate, high-end establishments.

To get into a speakeasy, one often needed to know the password or knock on the door in a certain way. Once inside, patrons could purchase illegal alcohol, often at inflated prices. Speakeasies were often owned and operated by organized crime groups, who saw the Prohibition Era as an opportunity to make a profit.

While the Prohibition Era is often remembered as a time of speakeasies and bootlegging, it also had significant social and economic impacts. The ban on alcohol led to the rise of organized crime, as illegal production and sale of alcohol became a lucrative business for criminal organizations. It also led to widespread corruption and the undermining of the rule of law, as law enforcement officials were often bribed to look the other way.

Despite these negative consequences, the Prohibition Era had its supporters. Many saw it as a way to reduce crime and improve public health and morality. However, as the economic impacts of the ban became more apparent, support for Prohibition began to wane.

The end of Prohibition came in 1933 with the passage of the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment and once again legalized the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. 

Read about how the Prohibition Era led to a rise in organized crime: Prohibition and the Rise of the American Gangster and Gangsters, G-Men, and Archivists.

Image 1: Photograph of Prohibition Agents Destroying a Bar; ca. 1920-1933; Records of the U.S. Information Agency, Record Group 306. (National Archives Identifier: 595674)

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