Hour 4
11/21/09
Position Paper #1
The Words of Others
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In deed, it is the only thing that ever has.”-Margaret Mead. There have been many times in history when a small group of people were able to accomplish their goals, despite them being the underdogs. Our country, the United States of America was formed by a small group of thoughtful citizens working towards their goals. It was to be independent from the British. In the Constitution of the USA, there have been many amendments added in order to meet the needs of the citizens. These changes in our country are usually accomplished by small groups of citizens who work towards their goals. One time that the Constitution was changed by a small group of people was during the 18th Amendment. It was achieved by a group called the Anti-Saloon League. Their goal was to ban alcohol throughout the United States. They were the leading organization to make the prohibition of alcohol in the USA. The consumption of alcohol was discouraged by the many United States. Alcohol had been a problem in the USA for many years. Men would always use their week’s salary to just go to the saloon and buy beer, gamble, etc. This amendment was ratified in 1919, after years of work. Unfortunately, this amendment would get canceled by the 21st amendment, which repealed the 18th amendment.
