Led by the Anti-Saloon League and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union; the alcohol breweries, consumers, and producers had overcome all others by linking the prohibition of alcohol to many social problems occurring during this progressive era. People following this crisis included women reformers who were concerned about the effect alcohol had on husbands beating and abusing their wives and children. Some industrialists, such as Henry Ford were concerned about the impact alcohol would have on labor productivity. It was argued that putting and end to drinking would eliminate corruption, and help Americanize immigrants.
In 1916, seven states adopted anti-liquor laws, bringing the number of states to 19 that prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. Wayne Wheeler, a lobbyist for the Anti-Saloon League, urged the government to investigate "a number of breweries around the country which are owned in part by alien enemies." In late December of 1917, Congress passed the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcohol. After the 18th amendment was passed, beer was limited to 2.75% alcohol content, and production was only 70% of the last year’s sales and production. The brewing industry argued that taxes on liquor were providing more for the war effort than the liberty bonds.
Although the 18th amendment was ratified in 1919, it essentially took effect in 1920. Many supporters began to loose faith in the 18th amendments ability to keep sobriety among the American public when many began smuggling alcohol illegally into the United States, this alcohol was being both sold and consumed illegally by much of the American public in the early 1920’s.