The passage of the Volstead Act marked a significant moment in American legislative history, as it provided the necessary legal framework to enforce the Prohibition laws mandated by the 18th Amendment. While the amendment itself was ratified earlier, the Volstead Act, named after Congressman Andrew Volstead, delineated what constituted 'intoxicating liquor' and the specifics of its prohibition. President Woodrow Wilson vetoed the act, believing it lacked sufficient provisions for non-intoxicating beverages and would create widespread enforcement challenges. However, Congress, driven by the temperance movement and the support of various political factions, overrode Wilson's veto with a notable majority. The law went into effect on January 17, 1920, which was a pivotal turning point leading to the nationwide ban on alcohol.

The background of this legislation is rooted in a decade-long campaign by numerous grassroots organizations, such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League. These entities successfully garnered public support against the perceived societal ills associated with alcohol consumption, ranging from domestic violence to decreased productivity. The decision to enforce Prohibition was justified by its proponents as a means to improve public morals and enhance social welfare. However, the passage of the Volstead Act did not effectively eliminate alcohol consumption; instead, it led to an increase in illegal activities as bootlegging and speakeasies proliferated throughout the country.

In the years that followed, Prohibition would spark widespread cultural change and even resistance against government authority. The inability to enforce the laws effectively brought into question the limits of federal intervention in personal choices, setting the stage for future debates on civil liberties and governmental power. Eventually, these tensions would contribute to the eventual repeal of Prohibition in the 1930s, highlighting the complexities of legislating morality within a diverse society.