The Volstead Act enabled the US government to enforce the 18th Amendment, which prohibited “intoxicating liquor” in the US. The law was passed in response to the temperance movement, but it led to increased crime and lawlessness. The 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933, rendering the Volstead Act obsolete.
The Volstead Act was a piece of legislation passed in 1919. It enabled the United States government to enforce the 18th Amendment to the Constitution and is formally known as the National Prohibition Act. In combination with the 18th Amendment and other supporting legislation, it includes under the generic term “Prohibition”. In 1933, this law and other Prohibition-related laws were repealed in response to popular protests.
The 18th Amendment was introduced in the Senate in 1917 and was successfully ratified in 1919, when the need for the Volstead Act became clear to enable it to be implemented. Under the 18th amendment, “intoxicating liquor” was essentially prohibited in the United States. The law was passed in response to the temperance movement, which had garnered a large number of followers. Adherents of the movement believed that alcohol consumption was harmful and that society at large would benefit if alcohol were banned.
The wording of the act specifically defined “intoxicating liquor,” stating that any drink containing 0.5% alcohol by volume or more would be covered. It also clarified that the transport, sale, barter, trade, manufacture, delivery, processing and possession of alcohol would be illegal. Criminal penalties for breaking the law were also defined under the Volstead Act, written by Wayne Wheeler and sponsored by Andrew Volstead.
Although the temperance movement lobbied to ban alcohol because they thought society would improve as a result, the consequences of the 18th amendment turned out to be the opposite of what was expected. Crime and lawlessness increased across the United States in response, as gangs rose up to supply booze to the clamoring masses. Much of the success of underground economies, and of the mafia that facilitated them, is a direct consequence of prohibition. Bootleggers sold alcohol of varying strengths and qualities, and citizens flocked to the underground speakeasies where they could get booze, listen to jazz, and dance the night away. Much of the culture of 1920s America was tied to Prohibition, but the nation hardly became more serious or temperate following the passage of the law.
President Woodrow Wilson actually attempted to veto the act, but the Senate overrode the veto. As the 1920s progressed, it quickly became apparent that Prohibition was not working as intended. In response, motions to dismantle it were started in 1933, and the 18th amendment was officially repealed on December 5 by the 21st amendment. The Volstead Act was rendered obsolete when the amendment was repealed.
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