Final answer:
Prohibition refers to the historical period from 1920 to 1933 in the United States during which the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol was illegal under the Eighteenth Amendment. Despite intentions to eliminate the social problems associated with alcohol, the era was marked by widespread noncompliance and the rise of organized crime, leading to the eventual repeal by the Twenty First Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period in history during which the sale and consumption of beverage alcohol was illegal in the United States is known as Prohibition. This epoch was set in motion by the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919, effectuating a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors. Despite the intent to foster a society with less social ills associated with alcohol consumption, Prohibition led to unintended consequences, including the rise of bootlegging and organized crime.
Prohibition, though an attempt at moral and social reform, faced widespread opposition and violation from the public, with enforcement proving to be practically insurmountable. The period saw an increase in illicit activities related to alcohol, including smuggling and the sale of homemade beverages, known as 'moonshine.' Recognizing the amendment's failure to suppress alcohol consumption, and the problems it exacerbated, the Twenty First Amendment was passed in 1933, repealing Prohibition and restoring the legal status of alcohol in America.