ProhibitionThe 18th Amendment, known as Prohibition, sent America into crisis when it was ratified in 1919. The government hoped to achieve a healthier, more efficient society with good morals and a break for women from receiving beatings from drunken husbands. Although the reasons behind Prohibition were reasonable, it was so corrupt from the start that it could never be successfully implemented. America became a lawless time, and many Americans felt that if they could get away with ignoring one law, they would not have to follow others (Axelrod 239). However, he may have been necessary for America's progress as he accomplished many other feats besides making citizens think. Women actively fought for Prohibition, but views change, and if you weren't already against the amendment, chances are you would be soon enough. Prohibition was doomed to fail, but was it reasonable for it to happen in America? Who did Prohibition affect? It was more like there wasn't the effect of prohibition? America was divided between those who cared about the cause and those who persistently pursued the amendment's repeal. The government as a whole was in favor of Prohibition, of course, since it, along with persuasion from groups like the Women's Christian Temperance Union, ratified the amendment in the first place (Lerner 171). Despite this, not all government officials were for the cause and turned a blind eye to the sale of alcohol; otherwise they themselves would become smugglers. A new form of gangsterism, the crimes of bootleggers selling alcohol have become a very profitable business (Kyvig). After all, something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it, and Americans were more t... middle of paper ...orally, but their physical health was also improved (Kyvig). Furthermore, one of the problems present with alcohol is abuse and women must be the recipients of this torrent. Once the Americans cleaned up, not only did women free themselves from the beatings, but they also rose up to receive their rights and be equal to men (Lerner 171). With this, America achieved its goal, making the advent of prohibition reasonable. Works Cited Axelrod, Alan. The Complete Idiot's Guide to American History. Broadway: Alpha, 1996. Print.Kyvig, David E. “Prohibition.” Advanced World Book. Book of the World, 2012. Web. 2 February 2012. Lerner, Michael A. Dry Manhattan. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 2007. Print.Moor, Lucy. Anything Goes: A Biography of the Roaring Twenties. New York: Peter Mayer, 2010. Print.Pietrusza, David. The Roaring Twenties. San Diego: Lucent, 1998. Print.