In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Nine months after Prohibition’s ratification, Congress passed the Volstead Act, or National Prohibition Act, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto.

How was the Amendment process passed?

An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification.

What led to the prohibition Amendment?

The Eighteenth Amendment emerged from the organized efforts of the temperance movement and Anti-Saloon League, which attributed to alcohol virtually all of society’s ills and led campaigns at the local, state, and national levels to combat its manufacture, sale, distribution, and consumption.

Who approved the 18th Amendment?





Ratification was achieved on January 16, 1919 when Nebraska became the 36th of the 48 states to ratify the amendment. On January 29, acting secretary of state Frank L. Polk certified the ratification.

How was the 21st Amendment passed?

The amendment passed both chambers of the U.S. Congress in December 1917 and was ratified by the requisite three-fourths of the states in January 1919.

What are the 2 ways to ratify an amendment?

To ratify amendments, three-fourths of the state legislatures must approve them, or ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states must approve them.

What are the four ways to pass an amendment?



Four Methods of Amending the U.S. Constitution

  • A two-thirds vote in both houses of the U.S. Congress. Ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
  • A two-thirds vote in both houses of U.S. Congress.
  • A national constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures.




Who supported prohibition?

The Anti-Saloon League, with strong support from Protestants and other Christian denominations, spearheaded the drive for nationwide prohibition. In fact, the Anti-Saloon League was the most powerful political pressure group in US history—no other organization had ever managed to alter the nation’s Constitution.

What were the 2 main reasons for prohibition?

Constitutional prohibition in the U.S. took place from 1920 to 1933 and was enacted ostensibly as a response to pre-existing social issues like domestic violence and child abandonment whose presumed cause was alcohol.

Which president passed Prohibition?

Volstead Act



In 1917, after the United States entered World War I, President Woodrow Wilson instituted a temporary wartime prohibition in order to save grain for producing food.

Who rejected the 18th Amendment?



The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors in the United States, was ratified by 46 states; only Connecticut and Rhode Island rejected the amendment.

How was the 18th Amendment enforced?

In January 1919, the 18th amendment achieved the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratification, and prohibition became the law of the land. The Volstead Act, passed nine months later, provided for the enforcement of prohibition, including the creation of a special unit of the Treasury Department.

What was the first amendment passed?

Amendment I



Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

How was the 20th amendment passed?

Proposal and ratification



The 72nd Congress proposed the Twentieth Amendment on March 2, 1932, and the amendment was ratified by the following states. The Amendment was adopted on January 23, 1933 after 36 states, being three-fourths of the then-existing 48 states, ratified the Amendment.

When was the first amendment passed?



18th June,1951

The 10th May, 1951. [18th June,1951.] An Act to amend the Constitution of India.

How is an amendment passed quizlet?

The amendment is proposed by a vote of two-thirds of both houses in Congress and the 2/3 state legislatures call for a national convention. The amendment proposed is ratified by 3/4 (38) of the state’s legislatures and when 3/4 (38) states at the conventions agree.

Why is the amendment process so difficult?

Because any amendment can be blocked by a mere thirteen states withholding approval (in either of their two houses), amendments don’t come easy. In fact, only 27 amendments have been ratified since the Constitution became effective, and ten of those ratifications occurred almost immediately–as the Bill of Rights.

What are some amendments that failed to pass?

Emory University Law School has a similar page.

  • The Failed Amendments.
  • Article 1 of the original Bill of Rights.
  • The Anti-Title Amendment.
  • The Slavery Amendment.
  • The Child Labor Amendment.
  • The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
  • The Washington DC Voting Rights Amendment.