Changing the Constitution was meant to be difficult. Some amendments took over 200 years to pass. But with the activism of everyday Americans, two constitutional amendments were passed within 15 years.
18th Amendment Protest Courtesy of FDR Library
Appalachian Mountain Moonshine
Revolution, Reaction, Reform
National History Day 2026
Appalachian Mountains Courtesy of Getty Images
Reforming
the Constitution
Courtesy of The Library of Congress
Courtesy of The Mitchell Archives
18th Amendment Repealed
1932 Democratic National Convention Courtesy of FDR Library
Most Americans believed the 18th Amendment went too far. Prohibition was too restrictive. By 1927 people were organizing protests and demonstrations against it. In 1932 the Democratic Party and Franklin D. Roosevelt ran on the platform of repeal.
To better reflect the people’s will, the 21st Amendment was passed through state conventions instead of state legislation. Using this method, it only took 10 months for it to pass, ending Prohibition.
W Forbes Morgan, President of the Distilled Spirits Institute,
Courtesy of Alexander Street Press
Nolan Adams, Thomas Cripe, Holden Pate, Conrad Sims, and Eli Taylor
Senior Group Website