21st Amendment to the United States Constitution

21st Amendment to the United States Constitution
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Amendment	21
Date proposed	February 20, 1933
Date ratified	December 5, 1933
Date certified	December 5, 1933
Scotus cases	Young's Market Co. v. Friday, Craig v. Boren

21st Amendment to the United States Constitution. The amendment was proposed by Congress on February 20, 1933, and ratified by the necessary number of states on December 5, 1933, as certified by United States Secretary of State Franklin D. Roosevelt. This amendment effectively repealed the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which had established Prohibition in the United States since 1919, with the support of organizations like the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League. The 21st Amendment was a significant turning point in the history of alcohol in the United States, influenced by events like the Volstead Act and the Boston Police Strike.

Introduction

The 21st Amendment is a unique amendment in the history of the United States Constitution, as it is the only amendment that repeals a previous amendment, specifically the 18th Amendment. This amendment was the result of a long process that involved the efforts of various individuals and organizations, including Pauline Sabin, a prominent Republican Party (United States) member, and the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment. The amendment's passage was also influenced by the Great Depression and the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which aimed to stimulate the economy of the United States through measures like the National Industrial Recovery Act and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. Key figures like Herbert Hoover and Al Smith (governor) played important roles in the Prohibition in the United States debate, with Hoover supporting the 18th Amendment and Smith advocating for its repeal.

History

The history of the 21st Amendment is closely tied to the Prohibition in the United States era, which began with the ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1919, supported by organizations like the American Temperance Society and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. However, the Volstead Act, which implemented Prohibition in the United States, proved to be difficult to enforce, leading to widespread bootlegging and the rise of organized crime figures like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. The Great Depression further exacerbated the problems associated with Prohibition in the United States, as the economy of the United States suffered and the Unemployment rate soared, prompting the establishment of programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. As a result, a growing movement emerged to repeal the 18th Amendment, led by individuals like Wayne Wheeler and organizations like the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment and the Voluntary Committee of Lawyers. The Democratic Party (United States) and the Republican Party (United States) both played significant roles in the repeal process, with key figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover influencing the outcome.

Text

The text of the 21st Amendment is divided into three sections, with the first section repealing the 18th Amendment and the second section granting states the power to regulate the transportation and importation of alcohol in the United States. The third section outlines the process for ratifying the amendment, which required approval by three-fourths of the states, as specified in Article V of the United States Constitution. The amendment's language was influenced by the United States Supreme Court's interpretation of the 18th Amendment in cases like National Prohibition Cases and United States v. Sprague. The 21st Amendment has been the subject of several United States Supreme Court cases, including Young's Market Co. v. Friday and Craig v. Boren, which have shaped the interpretation of the amendment's provisions, with justices like Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and Louis Brandeis playing important roles in these decisions.

Ratification

The ratification process for the 21st Amendment was unique, as it was the first amendment to be ratified by state conventions rather than by state legislatures, as allowed by Article V of the United States Constitution. This process was chosen to expedite the ratification process and to avoid potential obstacles in state legislatures, which had been influenced by organizations like the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League. The ratification process began on April 7, 1933, and was completed on December 5, 1933, when the necessary number of states had approved the amendment, with Michigan being the first state to ratify and Utah being the final state to do so. The ratification process was influenced by the Great Depression and the New Deal policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which aimed to stimulate the economy of the United States through measures like the National Industrial Recovery Act and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration.

Impact

The impact of the 21st Amendment was significant, as it effectively ended Prohibition in the United States and allowed states to regulate the sale and distribution of alcohol in the United States. The amendment's passage led to the establishment of a new regulatory framework for the alcohol industry, with the creation of agencies like the Federal Alcohol Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The amendment also had a significant impact on the economy of the United States, as the alcohol industry began to contribute to the Gross domestic product and create new jobs, with companies like Anheuser-Busch and Coors Brewing Company benefiting from the repeal of Prohibition in the United States. The 21st Amendment has also been the subject of several United States Supreme Court cases, which have shaped the interpretation of the amendment's provisions and the regulation of the alcohol industry, with justices like William Rehnquist and Antonin Scalia playing important roles in these decisions.

Legacy

The legacy of the 21st Amendment is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the ongoing debate over the regulation of alcohol in the United States. The amendment's passage marked a significant shift in the country's approach to alcohol regulation, from a prohibitionist approach to a more permissive one, influenced by events like the Boston Police Strike and the Great Depression. The 21st Amendment has also had a lasting impact on the alcohol industry, which has grown and evolved significantly since the repeal of Prohibition in the United States, with companies like Diageo and Pernod Ricard becoming major players in the industry. The amendment's legacy continues to be felt today, with ongoing debates over issues like drunk driving and underage drinking, and the role of organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in addressing these issues. The 21st Amendment remains an important part of United States constitutional law and a significant milestone in the country's history, with its impact still being felt in the economy of the United States, the alcohol industry, and the lives of Americans like Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Category:United States Constitution