Prohibition

Prohibition, restriction or prevention of the manufacture and sale of alcoholic drinks. It refers in particular to the period from 1919 to 1933, when (by means of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution) there was a federal prohibition law in the United States. In spite of the intensive economic and group pressures that had brought it about, it soon became apparent that the law was too unpopular and too expensive to enforce. A notorious era of gangsterism followed, with a vast illegal liquor business (the activities involved were known as bootlegging) under the control of men such as Al Capone. Prohibition was repealed (1933) by the 21st Amendment. A few U.S. states maintained local prohibition laws as late as 1966.

See also: Capone, Al; Volstead Act.