Cullen-Harrison Act
Quick Summary
The Cullen-Harrison Act was a U.S. law signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in March 1933. It amended the Volstead Act, which had enforced the nationwide prohibition of alcohol. The Cullen-Harrison Act legalized the manufacture and sale of beer and wine with an alcohol content of up to 3.2 percent by volume. This act was a significant step towards the eventual repeal of Prohibition, which occurred later that year with the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment on December 5, 1933. The Prohibition era, from 1920 to 1933, was marked by illegal alcohol production and sales, leading to the rise of organized crime.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Eighteenth AmendmentRoosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, which amended the Volstead Act, permitting the manufacturing and sale of low-alcohol beer and wines (up to 3.2 percent alcohol by volume). Nine months later, on December 5, 1933, federal prohibition was repealed with the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment (which allowed prohibition…
Read MoreRoosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, which amended the Volstead Act, permitting the manufacturing and sale of low-alcohol beer and wines (up to 3.2 percent alcohol by volume). Nine months later, on December 5, 1933, federal prohibition was repealed with the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment (which allowed prohibition…
Read More
ProhibitionRepealRoosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, which amended the Volstead Act and permitted the manufacturing and sale of low-alcohol beer and wines (up to 3.2 percent alcohol by volume). Nine months later, on December 5, 1933, Prohibition was repealed at the federal level with the ratification of the Twenty-first…
Read MoreRoosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, which amended the Volstead Act and permitted the manufacturing and sale of low-alcohol beer and wines (up to 3.2 percent alcohol by volume). Nine months later, on December 5, 1933, Prohibition was repealed at the federal level with the ratification of the Twenty-first…
Read More