In 1920, due to the adoption of the 18th amendment, American citizens were banned from the existing right to manufacture, sell, and transport alcoholic beverages. It made criminals out of citizens that may have never committed a crime. The government lost billions of dollars. Citizens were responsible to follow new laws, or they faced severe consequences. The Prohibitionist groups, who fought to enforce their beliefs, felt it was their responsibility to keep Americans away from the damage that liquor caused. Prohibition was considered, by many, an enormous American failure which created more negative consequences than benefits. The lessons of Prohibition changed American history forever.