What Exactly Does the Language of the 18th Amendment Say?

Explore the precise wording of the 18th Amendment that prohibited alcohol manufacture, sale, and transportation in the U.S.

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The 18th Amendment states: 'After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.'

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the main purpose of the 18th Amendment? The 18th Amendment prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors within the United States and its territories for beverage purposes.
  2. When was the 18th Amendment ratified and enforced? The 18th Amendment was ratified in 1919 and went into effect one year after ratification, starting national Prohibition in 1920.
  3. What activities were banned under the 18th Amendment? The manufacture, sale, transportation, importation, and exportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes were prohibited.
  4. Which amendment repealed the 18th Amendment? The 21st Amendment, ratified in 1933, repealed the 18th Amendment and ended Prohibition.

Watch More

For a deeper understanding of the Prohibition era and its constitutional impact, explore related content on the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment, as well as the broader history of alcohol legislation in the United States.

  1. Why Was the 21st Amendment Repealed Prohibition in the United States? Learn why the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition, ending the 18th Amendment to reduce crime, restore freedoms, and boost the economy.
  2. Why Tobacco Is Not Outlawed in the United States: Economic and Historical Insights Explore why tobacco remains legal in the U.S., focusing on its economic impact and historical context.