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