On
December 18, 1917, all manner of manufacturing and transportation of all
alcohol within the United Stats and its Territories was prohibited. Basically,
national prohibition outlawed anything to do with the pleasures of drinking.
But the 18th amendment of the US Constitution had no mechanism of
enforcement. That is why the Volstead Act was passed on October 28, 1919. President
Woodrow Wilson vetoed the act but Congress overrode the veto. The veto and
override both occurred on the same day.
In
as much as the Volstead Act gave the government the power to enforce the
prohibition of alcohol, it also provided measures that permitted brewers to
brew very low strength beer once they obtained a Federal permit. The Act also
allowed citizens the right to drink full strength beer along with whiskey and
wine of any kind.
A
provision written in the Volstead Act specifically allowed for the consumption
of alcohol in ones private home provided the alcohol was in place prior to
February 2, 1920. Prior to that date the sale of booze was legal and those that
were able to could buy as much as they could afford. They had to keep it in
their homes and could not sell it. Guests in the homes were allowed to drink
but could not buy a bottle for take away.
In
a sense, the government actually permitted legal speakeasies. Although no money
could change hands what savvy homeowner could not have a “birthday party” every
so often but require “guests” to contribute a cash donation for the all you can
eat “buffet’?
Congress
passed the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution on December 18, 1917, which
was ratified on January 16, 1919. Prohibition took affect on January 16,
1920. The Twenty First Amendment
repealed the 18th, having been passed on February 20, 1933 and ratified on
December 5, 1933.
Twenty-First
Amendment of the United States Constitution
Although
the 21st amendment was pass in February, it was not ratified until December.
Congress took steps in March of 1933 to revise the Volstead Act to allow for
the legal production of beer (not wines or spirits). Prior to the repeal of
prohibition in 1933, the Volstead Act was revised to permit the manufacture of
beer having not more than 3.2% alcohol.
The
Volstead Act defined intoxicating liquor as any beverage having 0.05% alcohol.
This superseded all other prohibition laws enacted by other states. Enforcement
officially began on February 2, 1920.
For
more on drinking laws during the 18th century, please see the Brooks Law on the Pittsburgh Brewers website.
