Final answer:
The Eighteenth Amendment outlawed the manufacture, transport, and sale of alcohol in the United States. However, it faced several downfalls, including enforcement challenges, economic consequences, and public backlash.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Eighteenth Amendment was a Constitutional Amendment that outlawed the manufacture, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquors. It was passed in 1919 and became the law of the land, effectively enacting Prohibition in the United States. However, there were several downfalls associated with the Eighteenth Amendment.
- Enforcement challenges: Despite the passage of the Volstead Act, which provided federal enforcement for the amendment, enforcement was lax. In addition, corruption and the involvement of organized crime made it difficult for law enforcement to effectively enforce the ban on alcohol.
- Economic consequences: Prohibition led to the rise of illegal activities such as bootlegging and speakeasies, which contributed to a significant increase in organized crime and violence. It also resulted in the loss of tax revenue from the legal sale of alcohol.
- Public backlash: Many Americans rejected the idea of the government legislating morality and imposing religious views. Prohibition was seen by some as an infringement on personal rights, and it inspired disregard for the law.