In response to growing endemic alcoholism within the US, the Prohibition Amendment to the Constitution was passed early in 1919. The amendment was passed with significant support from religious and women's groups, due to the major social problems that widespread alcoholism caused. Below is a link to a speech given by Frances Willard, a suffragist and an adamant supporter of prohibition.
Although intended to limit alcohol consumption, Prohibition succeeded only in driving alcohol consumption underground and increasing the cultural appeal of alcohol consumption. Clubs called Speakeasy's sprung up all over the nation's cities, making it easy, cheap, and fun to consume illegal alcohol. Foreign vendors also thrived on the sale of illegal alcohol. By the 1930's, it was recognized that Prohibition had failed to accomplish any of its goals, and it was repealed.