Prohibition: A Great Social Experiment

The decade that proceeded WWI was one of rapid social and political change in America. As G I ‘s returned home to ticker tape parades, public and political sentiment was shifting toward more Victorian ideals (Allen 61). The most explosive change that occurred in the 1920’s was Prohibition. The passing of the 18th Amendment came about as many Americans were striving for “temperance”. Many citizens were not shocked when the Amendment passed, as it had been …

…had fueled Prohibition, went out the window. This wet lifestyle became commonplace for many Americans, manifesting itself in many forms from speakeasies to “tea” parties to bathtub gin. With the gangland bootleggers, other vices became rampant. Congress acknowledged that Prohibition was basically more trouble than it was worth when the 18th Amendment was repealed on December 5, 1933. The “dry” decade was over. Prohibition was in fact a great social experiment, the results of which were apparent.