What was the intent behind the 18th Amendment?

The 18th Amendment, ratified in 1919, was established with the intent to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States. This period of Prohibition was rooted in a broader social movement that aimed to curb the negative effects of alcohol consumption, which proponents believed contributed to social issues like crime, domestic violence, and poor health. The movement was largely championed by various temperance groups, including the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League, reflecting a significant cultural shift during the Progressive Era. Prohibition was seen as a way to promote moral behavior and improve society overall. The amendment led to a significant legal and cultural transformation but ultimately contributed to challenges in enforcement and the rise of organized crime, which were significant issues leading to the amendment's repeal in 1933 with the 21st Amendment.