How Successful was the Temperance Movement?

The temperance movement was successful in that it led to the ban of alcohol through the 18th amendment but it can easily be argued that the ban of 18th amendment had left America worse off than before. The act was weak as it was easily exploited through religious and medicinal exemptions. Along with this the sale of alcohol was banned but consumption and ownership was not leading to many Americans simply stockpiling and drinking, in some cases certain clubs were left with enough that lasted them throughout the entirety of probation. Another exploited method was the rise in grape concentrate products which contained no alcohol, but they suspiciously had a warning on the back sayin not to let it ferment or else it would turn into wine. Underground clubs known as speakeasies became hugely popular and were often never shut down. A reason for this is that the Probation Bureau was extremely underfunded and understaffed leading most enforcement coming from local and state police. By far the biggest issue to come out of probation was crime. Following Probation crime rates rose 24% due to gangs smuggling, producing, and selling alcohol. Criminals such as Al Capone, George "Machine Gun Kelly" Barens, and Frank Nitti became household names. There was virtually no enforcement of the ban on alcohol from police due to these gangs bribing them, leading many to become almost as rich as the criminals. These issues eventually made the ban unenforced and unnecessary to the public eye and the 18th amendment was repealed with the 21st amendment and many states repealing their dry laws (the last state, Kansas lifted its ban in 1987). Overall the temperance movement succeeded in the ban of alcohol but damaged Americas well being and failed as the ban was lifted federally in 1933.