President. 70 years ago today. on December 18. 1917. the Senate approved the 18th amendment to the Constitution. That resolution provided that after 1 year from the ratification of this article the manufacture. sale. or transportation of intoxicating liquors within. the importation thereof into. or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. Behind this amendment lay years of lobbying by those who believed that drinking. especially among the millions of newly arrived immigrants. posed a clear threat to the maintenance of national law and order. These advocates argued that workingclass men were squandering money in local saloons. thus contributing to their families poverty and social distress. American entry into World War I earlier in 1917 paved the way for adoption of the 18th amendment.
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants drinking poses a threat to law and order and contributes to poverty.