On October 28, 1919, Congress made history by overriding President Woodrow Wilson’s veto of the Volstead Act, ushering in one of America’s most controversial social experiments: Prohibition. In this episode of Dave Does History, we explore how the Volstead Act became law, the powerful temperance movement behind it, and the explosive consequences that followed. From the optimism of reformers to the rise of bootlegging and organized crime, we trace the unintended legacy of America’s “dry” era. Join us for a deep look into the limits of legislation and the lessons learned from an era that redefined law, liberty, and public morality.
Today, we turn our attention to October 28, 1919, the day America decided it would ban the sale, production, and distribution of alcohol. This is the story of the Volstead Act, a law that would launch one of the most ambitious—and controversial—social experiments in U.S. history: Prohibition.
Picture the scene in America just after World War I. Soldiers are home, the economy is booming, yet there’s a brewing tension in society. The country has seen rapid industrialization, urbanization, and a transformation in its cultural values. But alongside all this, a longstanding movement pushes back against one particular vice: alcohol. Now, alcohol is no new villain, but the temperance movement, backed by a mix of moral outrage and social reform zeal, is gaining strength. And leading the charge? The Anti-Saloon League and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, groups convinced that alcohol is the root cause of crime, poverty, and moral decay in American society.
This isn’t just a moral crusade; it’s a highly organized political campaign. For years, temperance advocates have been working to elect sympathetic politicians, sway public opinion, and, ultimately, enact a total ban on alcohol nationwide. And they don’t stop at the state level; they aim to make it part of the U.S. Constitution.
By 1917, with the U.S. embroiled in the Great War, the temperance advocates see an opportunity. Wartime patriotism blends with prohibition fervor, painting alcohol as un-American. Brewers—many of whom are German-Americans—are suddenly cast in a suspicious light. Patriotism, they argue, means sacrifice. It means rejecting luxuries like liquor that supposedly weaken the moral backbone of the nation. Congress is convinced, and they pass the 18th Amendment in 1917. A year later, the states ratify it. Prohibition is now a constitutional reality.
Now, passing an amendment is one thing. Enforcing it? That’s another story. The 18th Amendment bans “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors,” but it
doesn’t spell out how to make that happen. So, in 1919, Congress gets to work drafting a law to put teeth behind the amendment, to define what it means to enforce Prohibition. And that’s where Congressman Andrew Volstead steps in.
Volstead, a Republican from Minnesota, chairs the House Judiciary Committee. With his name on the legislation, he becomes the face of Prohibition enforcement. Officially called the National Prohibition Act, it quickly becomes known as the Volstead Act. Now, Volstead isn’t exactly the life of the party. A conservative, devout Protestant, he sees alcohol as a vice, pure and simple. The Volstead Act lays out a strict framework: it defines “intoxicating liquor” as anything with more than 0.5% alcohol. It bans the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol outright, leaving little room for loopholes, though it does make exceptions for medicinal, industrial, and religious purposes.
“We shall redeem society from the curses and evils of the liquor traffic, which has brought untold suffering and misery.” – Congressman Andrew Volstead
The bill then lands on the desk of President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson, despite being a teetotaler himself, has reservations. He sees the law as overreach—a step too far into Americans’ personal lives. On October 27, 1919, he takes a stand and vetoes the Volstead Act, citing concerns over personal freedoms and government interference in citizens’ lives. Wilson believes the law goes too far in controlling private choices, a position that resonates with many who view this new law as an infringement on individual liberty.
But the Prohibition movement’s influence is simply too strong. The same day Wilson’s veto is issued, Congress acts swiftly and decisively. With a groundswell of support from both Republicans and Democrats, they override the veto. By October 28, 1919, the Volstead Act is officially law. It’s a moment of triumph for temperance advocates who have fought for decades to achieve this victory. And just like that, America is “dry”—at least, on paper.
In the beginning, the effects are noticeable. Alcohol consumption does indeed drop. In the early years, arrests for drunkenness decline, and many believe Prohibition is working. But enforcing Prohibition soon proves to be a Herculean task. As the years wear on, a new kind of American ingenuity emerges, filling the gap left by legally produced alcohol. People turn to bootleggers, speakeasies, and a black-market liquor trade that makes folks like Al Capone household names. Organized crime thrives, gaining power and wealth at levels never seen before, thanks to the lucrative business of smuggling booze.
With crime on the rise and public respect for the law dwindling, the tide begins to turn. Ordinary Americans, who were initially willing to try this grand experiment, grow disillusioned. Prohibition, which was supposed to clean up America’s morals, instead ushers in an era of lawlessness. By the early 1930s, the public appetite for Prohibition is waning. People have seen firsthand the unintended consequences: a government so determined to legislate morality that it inadvertently creates a booming underground industry and encourages widespread lawbreaking.
Finally, in 1933, the public and politicians have had enough. The 21st Amendment repeals Prohibition, overturning the Volstead Act and restoring the right to produce and sell alcohol. But the impact of the Volstead Act and Prohibition doesn’t end there. It has changed the American landscape. Law enforcement and legal infrastructure have expanded, organized crime has gained a foothold it would never fully relinquish, and public trust in sweeping social legislation is forever tinged with caution.
The story of the Volstead Act is a reminder of the complexity of social reform. America learned the hard way that moral issues aren’t easily fixed with laws—and that the unintended consequences of “good intentions” can linger for generations. As we reflect on this day in history, the Volstead Act stands as a fascinating case of social policy, federal authority, and, yes, the limits of what laws can truly accomplish.
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