Prohibition & Bootlegging in the Bahamas

By

Nestor Taylor 9T1

Introduction

During the prohibition era many changes occurred within the Bahamas. This presentation will allow you to see what prohibition was and the impact that it had on the Bahamian society.

Words To Know

Prohibition: the forbidding by law of the manufacturing, importation, sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages

Bootlegging: the making, transport or sale of illegal goods especially liquor

Temperance: total abstinence from alcohol

Volstead Act: a law passed by the American government to stop the sale, manufacturing and importation of liquor

How did prohibition and bootlegging begin?• In 1919 America passed the Volstead

Act.• Manufacturing, the sale of and

importation of liquor became illegal.• A group of women known as the

Women’s Temperance Union and Anti Saloon League complained about the amount of alcohol consumed.

• They blamed liquor for the increase in crime and poverty.

• Since alcohol became illegal and the demand for it still existed persons sought illegal ways to bring it into the country or make it secretly.

• Since the Bahamas did not have a ban on alcohol it was used to ship alcohol.

The Role of the Bahamas in Prohibition and Bootlegging

• The Bahamas became a supply depot or transhipment point for alcohol smuggling.

• West End, Grand Bahama, Bimini and Gun Cay were used to store rum until it could be shipped to America because of their proximity to America.

• Rum, whiskey and gin were brought in from England and Scotland to be sold.

• Bahamian families such as the Bethels Christie, Kelly, Collins, Sands and Symonette exported liquor secretly to America for a lot of money.

The Role of the Bahamas in Prohibition and Bootlegging

• Since alcohol was not illegal in the Bahamas the government only increased the taxes.

• The government did not consider the law in America since it allowed a larger income to the government treasury.

How was rum smuggled in and out of the country?

• Ships would come to Nassau and anchor outside of the harbour.

• Small boats would carry the liquor to the ships which would then take the liquor to New Jersey.

• Because West End, Gun Cay and Bimini were used as storage centers the Coast Guard patrolled the Florida waters to prevent bootlegging.

How was rum smuggled in and out of the country?

• Coast Guard ships were smaller and slower than the smuggling boats so this did not stop the Bahamians from taking the chance to transport alcohol.

• Because of the proximity to Florida sometimes captains would make up to two trips each night.

• Small seaplanes made the trip during the day.

• Since they carried less than the boats they sometimes made up to five trips a day.

How was rum smuggled in and out of the country?

• The passage travelled became known as the Rum Line or Rum Row.

• The business of transporting or smuggling alcoholic beverages which are forbidden by law across the water became known as rum running.

Benefits of Prohibition and Bootlegging to the Bahamas

POSITIVE NEGATIVE

•Many Bahamians got jobs.•Salaries were increased.•A city water supply and sewerage system was installed.•Churches were repaired with liquor money.•Roads were remade and cars began to appear.•Hotels and casinos were built.

•Many gangsters came to arrange shipment of their cargo.•Bahamians began to gamble more at hotels which were the headquarters for the gangsters.•Bahamians stopped farming to make quick money.•Less people were living in the Family Islands because many came to Nassau to get jobs.

Choose a category. You will be given the question. You must give the correct answer.

Click to begin.

Click here for Final Jeopardy

TermsProhibition Existence

Smuggling Process

Prohibition Benefits/Side effects

10 Point

20 Points

10 Point 10 Point 10 Point 10 Point

20 Points 20 Points 20 Points 20 Points

Role of the Bahamas

PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS!!!

What does temperance

mean?

Total abstinence from alcohol.

What is rum running?

The illegal transport of transporting alcohol across water.

What caused the Bahamas to take

part in illegal trading?

Volstead Act

Which groups caused the

Volstead Act to be passed in America?

Women’s Temperance Union & Anti Saloon League

What role did the Bahamas play in prohibition and bootlegging?

Transshipment point

Which countries did the rum come

from?

England, Scotland

Where was rum smuggled to?

America

What are two places where rum

was stored?

Bimini, West End, Gun Cay

How did prohibition effect the water system in the Bahamas?

A city water supply and sewerage system was built.

Explain how the Family Islands

were impacted by prohibition.

Family Islands became

depopulated since persons came to Nassau for jobs.

Make your wager

When did prohibition end?

1932