The Volstead Act was a law enacted in 1919 to provide for the enforcement of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Named after Congressman Andrew Volstead, the act defined what constituted an alcoholic beverage and outlined the legal framework for enforcing prohibition. Despite its intentions, the Volstead Act faced significant challenges, leading to widespread illegal production and distribution of alcohol, known as bootlegging. The act ultimately contributed to the rise of organized crime and was repealed in 1933 with the passage of the 21st Amendment, ending the prohibition era.