was prohibition effective? prohibition and crime in the 1920’s
TRANSCRIPT
Was prohibition effective?
Prohibition and Crimein the 1920’s
It all starts with the 18th • 18th Amendment – Prohibition: outlawed
the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors. (ratified - Jan. 29, 1919)
• The Volstead Act (1919)enforced the 18th Amendment.
• The Anti-Saloon League announces – “Now for an era of clean living and clear thinking!”
Passage of the 18th Amendment
White = ratified in 1919
Red = ratified after 3/4 states
Black = never ratified
Enforcement of the Volstead Act
Prohibition gives rise to initial difficulties
• Bootlegging – the illegal sale of liquor.
• Smuggling alcohol from Canada and Mexico.
• Homemade booze and backyard stills
Federal Agents destroying alcohol
Mob creates an industry that many Americans are willing to support.
The Growth of the Mob
• Italian, Jewish, Irish, Immigrants.
• Created “gangs” for protection.
• Very well organized – led to money making business during prohibition.
The Purple Gang - Detroit
A New Kind of Political BossA New Kind of Political Boss
• Voters are being persuaded.Voters are being persuaded.
• Mob puts politicians in their place.Mob puts politicians in their place.
• Many elections are rigged.Many elections are rigged.
• Police Departments are being boughtPolice Departments are being bought.
The Purple GangThe Purple Gang
• 75%75% of all imported of all imported alcohol comes alcohol comes through the Detroit through the Detroit River.River.
• $215 million dollars $215 million dollars in 1929.in 1929.
• Detroit’s second Detroit’s second largest business.largest business.
Famous G’s
Frankie YaleFrankie Yale Johnny TorrioJohnny Torrio George “Bugs” MoranGeorge “Bugs” Moran
Alphonse Gabriel Capone -“Scarface”Alphonse Gabriel Capone -“Scarface”• Son of Italian Immigrants.
• Gang member at an early age
• Works for Frankie Yale
• Has to move to Chicago to “cool off”
• Starts working for Johnny Torrio
Capone - “Scarface”
CaponeCapone (cont)(cont)
• Takes over in ChicagoTakes over in Chicago
• Runs many of the cities Runs many of the cities speakeasiesspeakeasies, brothels, , brothels, and bootlegging and bootlegging operationsoperations
• Controls the political Controls the political climate of the city.climate of the city.
• Clashes with “Bugs” Clashes with “Bugs” MoranMoran
St. Valentines Day Massacre
Chicago - 1929
Capone goes to jail???Capone goes to jail???
To Catch a Thief……To Catch a Thief……
• Elliot Ness – F.B.I.Elliot Ness – F.B.I.
• Lead investigator in Lead investigator in charge of catching Al charge of catching Al Capone.Capone.
• ““The Untouchables”The Untouchables”
Capone is Caught!
• Tax evasion leads to prison - 1932.
• Dies in Florida - 1947
How effective was prohibition?
What about this era of clean living?!?!
Amount of Alcohol Consumed per Person from 1910-1929
Crime Rate in the U.S. from 1910-1945
Was prohibition effective?• The crime rate actually increased.
• People still consumed alcohol.
• New York City has over 32,000 “speakeasies” by 1929.
• Doctors write over 11 million prescriptions for people to use alcohol for medical purposes.
• Impossible to enforce!!!!!!!
• By 1933 the 21st Amendment is passed.
Oh, one more thing……Oh, one more thing……
Happy Holiday’s from Happy Holiday’s from The Haling’sThe Haling’s
THE END