"A Noble Experiment" The sale, transport, and consumption of intoxicating beverages became illegal. Many law-abiding Americans defied the regulations. The black market for alcohol was a boon for organized crime. Detroit police discover a clandestine still
Problems with Prohibition Prohibition was unenforceable due to lack of support. Positive health benefits, but many deaths occurred from bootleg liquor.
More Problems Political corruption increased. Smuggling grew out of control.
Great Depression http://amhist.ist.unomaha.edu/module_files/Industry%20Booms.mov During the Depression the potential jobs and tax revenue from the legalization of liquor increasingly attractive to struggling Americans.
The End of Prohibition Thus, in 1933, the noble experiment of Prohibition came to a close with the ratification of the 21st Amendment http://amhist.ist.unomaha.edu/module_files/Al%20Smith%20on%20the%20Repeal%20of%20Prohibition.mov