What did the 18th Amendment to the Constitution establish?

The 18th Amendment to the Constitution established the prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Ratified in 1919 and enacted in 1920, this amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors. The 18th Amendment was part of a broader temperance movement aimed at curbing alcohol consumption, which proponents believed led to social issues such as crime and family instability.

The period following the adoption of the 18th Amendment is known as Prohibition, and it significantly impacted American society, leading to a variety of social changes, as well as the rise of illegal speakeasies and organized crime related to the production and distribution of alcohol. Ultimately, the challenges and societal consequences of enforcing this amendment led to its repeal in 1933 with the 21st Amendment.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the content of the 18th Amendment, as it specifically enacted prohibition rather than any form of legalization or regulation of alcohol.