Florida US History EOC Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

During the Prohibition era, the legal status of alcoholic beverages was defined by the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors. This amendment went into effect in 1920 and marked a significant shift in American law and society, as it made all forms of alcohol illegal virtually across the country.

Additionally, the Volstead Act, which provided for the enforcement of Prohibition, specified the types of beverages that were considered alcoholic and laid out the legal framework for enforcing the ban. As a result, it was not merely a restriction on the sale of alcohol; it established a constitutional ban that affected how alcoholic beverages were viewed legally.

The misunderstanding in the alternative options illustrates the confusion surrounding the Prohibition era. Options suggesting limited sales, complete legality, or licensing requirements do not reflect the reality that the 18th Amendment effectively made the consumption, production, and sale of alcoholic beverages illegal in the United States.