What did the 18th Amendment prohibit?

• A. The right to vote for women
• B. The increased production of steel
• C. The manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages
• D. The importation of Native Americans

Answer: (C)

The 18th Amendment, ratified in 1919, is significant in American history as it established the prohibition of the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages. This amendment was a culmination of the temperance movement, which argued that alcohol was detrimental to society, leading to social problems such as crime and family disintegration. The passage of the 18th Amendment made it illegal to produce or sell alcoholic drinks, leading to the implementation of Prohibition.

Prohibition had far-reaching consequences, influencing social dynamics, the rise of organized crime, and ultimately leading to the amendment's repeal in 1933 with the 21st Amendment. The focus of the 18th Amendment on alcohol specifically highlights a historical movement aimed at regulating morality and public health rather than addressing issues related to women's rights, industrial production, or indigenous populations.