Select The Best Answer For The Question:The __________ Amendment Is The Only Constitutional Amendment That Was Ratified By Approval Of Conventions In Three-fourths Of The States.A. Twenty-First B. Fifteenth C. Eighteenth D. Twenty-Sixth

Feb 26, 2025 by ADMIN 242 views

**The Twenty-First Amendment: A Unique Path to Ratification**

The United States Constitution has undergone numerous amendments since its adoption in 1787. Among these amendments, the Twenty-First Amendment stands out for its unique path to ratification. In this article, we will delve into the history of the Twenty-First Amendment and explore why it is the only constitutional amendment to be ratified by approval of conventions in three-fourths of the states.

Understanding the Ratification Process

Before we dive into the specifics of the Twenty-First Amendment, it is essential to understand the ratification process for constitutional amendments. According to Article V of the United States Constitution, there are two methods for proposing amendments:

Congressional Proposal: Two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate must approve a proposed amendment, which is then sent to the states for ratification.
National Convention: Two-thirds of the state legislatures can call for a national convention to propose amendments, which are then sent to the states for ratification.

The Twenty-First Amendment: A Response to Prohibition

The Twenty-First Amendment was ratified on December 5, 1933, and is the most recent amendment to the United States Constitution. It was a response to the Prohibition era, which had been in place since 1919. The amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.

Ratification by Conventions

The Twenty-First Amendment was ratified by approval of conventions in three-fourths of the states, making it the only constitutional amendment to follow this path. This unique method of ratification was chosen because of the contentious nature of the Prohibition issue. Many states had already repealed their own prohibition laws, and the national convention method allowed for a more direct and representative approach to ratification.

The Role of State Conventions

State conventions played a crucial role in the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment. These conventions were composed of delegates elected by the people of each state, who were tasked with considering and voting on the proposed amendment. The conventions were often contentious, with proponents and opponents of the amendment engaging in heated debates.

The Impact of the Twenty-First Amendment

The Twenty-First Amendment had a significant impact on American society. It repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, ending the Prohibition era and allowing for the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors. The amendment also marked a shift in the country's attitude towards alcohol, with many states adopting more permissive laws regarding the sale and consumption of liquor.

Conclusion

The Twenty-First Amendment is a unique and important part of American history. Its ratification by approval of conventions in three-fourths of the states sets it apart from other constitutional amendments. The amendment's impact on American society was significant, marking the end of the Prohibition era and paving the way for a more permissive approach to the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors.

Key Takeaways

The Twenty-First Amendment is the only constitutional amendment to be ratified by approval of conventions in three-fourths of the states.
The amendment was a response to the Prohibition era, which had been in place since 1919.
State conventions played a crucial role in the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment.
The amendment had a significant impact on American society, marking the end of the Prohibition era and paving the way for a more permissive approach to the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Twenty-First Amendment?
- The Twenty-First Amendment is a constitutional amendment that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.
Why was the Twenty-First Amendment ratified by approval of conventions in three-fourths of the states?
- The amendment was ratified by this method because of the contentious nature of the Prohibition issue, and the need for a more direct and representative approach to ratification.
What was the impact of the Twenty-First Amendment on American society?
- The amendment marked the end of the Prohibition era and paved the way for a more permissive approach to the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors.

References

The United States Constitution
The National Archives and Records Administration
The Library of Congress
Q&A: The Twenty-First Amendment =====================================

The Twenty-First Amendment is a unique and important part of American history. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the amendment.

Q: What is the Twenty-First Amendment?

A: The Twenty-First Amendment is a constitutional amendment that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.

Q: Why was the Twenty-First Amendment necessary?

A: The Twenty-First Amendment was necessary because the Eighteenth Amendment, which had prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors, had been in place since 1919. However, many Americans had grown tired of the restrictions and wanted to repeal the amendment.

Q: What was the process for ratifying the Twenty-First Amendment?

A: The Twenty-First Amendment was ratified by approval of conventions in three-fourths of the states. This was a unique method of ratification, as most constitutional amendments are ratified by the state legislatures.

Q: What was the role of state conventions in the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment?

A: State conventions played a crucial role in the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment. These conventions were composed of delegates elected by the people of each state, who were tasked with considering and voting on the proposed amendment.

Q: What was the impact of the Twenty-First Amendment on American society?

A: The Twenty-First Amendment had a significant impact on American society. It marked the end of the Prohibition era and paved the way for a more permissive approach to the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors.

Q: How did the Twenty-First Amendment affect the economy?

A: The Twenty-First Amendment had a significant impact on the economy. The repeal of Prohibition led to a surge in the sale of liquor, which created new jobs and stimulated economic growth.

Q: What are some of the key provisions of the Twenty-First Amendment?

A: The Twenty-First Amendment has several key provisions, including:

The repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment
The authorization of the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors
The regulation of the liquor industry by the states

Q: How has the Twenty-First Amendment been interpreted by the courts?

A: The Twenty-First Amendment has been interpreted by the courts in several significant cases. In the case of United States v. Rutherford, the Supreme Court held that the amendment gave the states the power to regulate the liquor industry.

Q: What are some of the challenges facing the liquor industry today?

A: The liquor industry faces several challenges today, including:

Increased competition from craft breweries and wineries
Changing consumer preferences and attitudes towards liquor
Stricter regulations and laws governing the sale and consumption of liquor

Q: How can the liquor industry adapt to these challenges?

A: The liquor industry can adapt to these challenges by:

Investing in marketing and advertising efforts to reach new consumers
Developing new products and brands to appeal to changing consumer preferences
Working with regulators and lawmakers to shape laws and regulations that benefit the industry

Conclusion

Key Takeaways

The Twenty-First Amendment is a constitutional amendment that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.
The amendment was ratified by approval of conventions in three-fourths of the states.
State conventions played a crucial role in the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment.
The amendment had a significant impact on American society, marking the end of the Prohibition era and paving the way for a more permissive approach to the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Twenty-First Amendment?
- The Twenty-First Amendment is a constitutional amendment that repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which had prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.
Why was the Twenty-First Amendment necessary?
- The Twenty-First Amendment was necessary because the Eighteenth Amendment, which had prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors, had been in place since 1919.
What was the process for ratifying the Twenty-First Amendment?
- The Twenty-First Amendment was ratified by approval of conventions in three-fourths of the states.

References

The United States Constitution
The National Archives and Records Administration
The Library of Congress