Prohibition in the US Essay. Research assignment.

Prohibition in the US
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Prohibition in the US
Introduction
The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, also known as the Prohibition, barred the manufacture, transportation, and sale of toxic liquors. This resulted from high crime rates due to alcohol consumption during the 19th century. The law was hard to enforce after passing, leading to increased crime rates, poverty, as well as illegal sale and production of liquor. The 18th Amendment is one of the Acts of the US Constitution that has often been contentious and divided opinions on its success or failures. The Amendment was ratified in January 1919 and became active in January 1920. The passing of the Amendment illegalized the production, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquors illegal. However, it did not prohibit the actual alcohol consumption in the US. The move to pass the 18th Amendment was motivated by movements, religious groups, and activists' desire to make the society better and promote morality in the country by outlawing alcohol. However, the 18th Amendment did not achieve the intended results in its repealing in 1933. Notably, this paper will discuss how the Amendment resulted in increased crime rates, poverty, prostitution, and illegal sale and production of illicit liquor, among other unwanted activities.
Proponents of the Prohibition had argued that banning alcohol sales would lower the prevalence of crime, which did not happen because the law contributed to crime rise in the US The Great Depression also played a significant role in the failing of the 18th Amendment. The 18th Amendment did not, in any way, promote morality or contribute to the decrease in consumption of alcohol in society. Some of the crimes developed during the era of the 18th Amendment (19020-1933) are still prevalent in modern American society.
The 18th Amendment Resulting into Rising of Crime and Other Illegal Activities
Rise of the Speakeasy and Clip Joints
Unfortunately, the dream that the 18th Amendment would bring hope among Americans turned into a nightmare. The Amendment led to the formation and rise of speakeasies, which were also referred to as 'blind pigs.' Speakeasies were secrets establishments where the illegal sale of alcohol to patrons during the Prohibition took place. The speakeasies patrons defied the law by setting up places where they would illegally sell alcohol and promote cavorting, gambling, and other activities in secret. Notably, the passing of the 18th Amendment prompted the establishment of these gangster owned speakeasies, which replaced the neighborhood bars. New York alone was home to more than 32,000 drinking places, which were almost twice the number of illegal drinking joints before the introduction of the Prohibition. Apart from speakeasies, the US also witnessed a high increase in clip joints. These were dangerous drinking places which were characterized by the victimization of patrons as well as customers' harassment and extortion of money by employees.[García‐Jimeno, Camilo. "The political economy of moral conflict: An empirical study of learning and law enforcement under prohibition." Econometrica 84, no. 2 (2016): 511-570.]
High Prevalence of Organized Crime
Another way the 18th Amendment promoted illegal activities is by encouraging the rapid growth of organized crime run by syndicates, criminals, and influential individuals wealthy individuals. Notably, passing the Amendment resulted in high demand for alcohol resulting in opportunities for the groups to sell illegal alcohol at high prices. García‐Jimeno states that demand for illegal alcohol during the Prohibition-era was so high that some of the powerful kingpins like Al Capone would make up to $ 100 million annually. Upon the introduction of the Prohibition, the prices of spirits and alcohol rose by about 24% and 700% respectively. This resulted in the emergence of influential individuals who made enormous profits and significant political power and influence. Most of the high-ranked operators of organized crimes began money laundering activities due to the massive amounts of money they were making from the illegal sale of alcohol.[García‐Jimeno, Camilo. "The political economy of moral conflict: 511-570.] [Smith, Chris M., and Andrew V. Papachristos. "How network science unearthed the overlapping relationships of organized crime in Al Capone’s Chicago." USApp–American Politics and Policy Blog (2016).]
Some were forced to hire lawyers, and accountants would help them to launder their ill-gotten money through partnerships with other gangs, the shipment of logistics, and investing in properties and land estates. Notably, as the powerful cartel and organized crime operators earned millions of tax-free income while the average US worker used to make less than $1000 each year. The Prohibition-era was characterized by the emergence and glorification of major criminals who made money from the illegal sale of alcohol. Some of the influential crime individuals who became known at the time include Al Capone, John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Bugs Moran, Ma Barker, and her gang, among many others. In this sense, the passing of the 18th Amendment promoted crime by resulting in the emergence of influential individuals who ran organized crime and were powerful due to the millions they made from selling illegal alcohol at high prices.[Smith, Chris M., and Andrew V. Papachristos. "How network science unearthed the overlapping relationships of organized crime in Al Capone’s Chicago] [‘Ibid’]
Rise of Corruption
The Prohibition also promoted an increase in crime by promoting widespread corru...