Subject
United States. Constitution. 18th Amendment Books
Best books
Charles Hanson Towne
The Rise and Fall of Prohibition The Human Side of What the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act Have Done to the United States
"The Rise and Fall of Prohibition" by Charles Hanson Towne is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book examines the impact of the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act on American society, highlighting the unexpected consequences and complexities of Prohibition. Towne delves into the cultural and social tensions related to restrictions on alcohol, emphasizing the ways in which they have reshaped behavior and attitudes among citizens. The opening of the work introduces the perplexing nature of Prohibition, describing how it caught the American public by surprise despite the long-standing efforts of temperance advocates. Towne reflects on the irony of voters dismissing Prohibition as a mere joke only to find it thrust upon them as law. He critiques the shift in national attitude towards alcohol, arguing that Prohibition has created a culture of lawlessness and hypocrisy, where violation of laws has become commonplace, and presents a call to recognize the discontent brewing in society. The author sets the stage for a deeper exploration of these themes as he discusses the contradictions and absurdities surrounding the enforcement of Prohibition laws.
Francis X. Hennessy
Citizen or subject?
"Citizen or Subject?" by Francis X. Hennessy is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. The book discusses the importance of understanding the status of an American citizen in relation to government, particularly in the context of the Eighteenth Amendment, which the author argues was improperly included in the Constitution. Hennessy seeks to educate readers on the foundational principles of American democracy, emphasizing the distinction between citizens and subjects. The opening of the work establishes a critical examination of the average American's understanding of citizenship, highlighting an apparent ignorance that could threaten individual freedoms. Hennessy asserts that if the notion of American citizenship exists, then the Eighteenth Amendment cannot be legitimately part of the Constitution. He frames the narrative around the historical context of American independence, stressing the need for citizens to be aware of their rights and responsibilities, and tracing the evolution from being subjects under British rule to becoming citizens with constitutional powers. The author passionately argues that a failure to understand this distinction can lead to a regression into a state of subjugation.
Fabian Franklin
What Prohibition Has Done to America
"What Prohibition Has Done to America" by Fabian Franklin is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book provides a critical examination of the impact of Prohibition in the United States, focusing on its implications for constitutional law, personal liberty, and societal norms. Franklin argues against the legitimacy of the Eighteenth Amendment, suggesting it not only contravenes individual freedoms but also undermines the federal system of governance. At the start of the work, Franklin introduces the notion that the U.S. Constitution was designed to protect fundamental rights and prevent the majority from imposing its will on the minority. He critiques the Eighteenth Amendment for subverting this purpose, labeling it a "constitutional monstrosity." The opening chapters delve into the ramifications of Prohibition, highlighting how it creates a nation of lawbreakers and diminishes respect for the law among severely affected citizens. Through his arguments, Franklin sets the stage for a broader discourse on the essential need for personal liberties and the dangers of majority tyranny intrinsic to Prohibitionist policies.
Recently surfaced classics