1920s America-prohibition Flashcards
When was the period of prohibition
1920-1933
Which groups of people wanted alcohol to be banned
Social campaigners-who worry that alcohol increases crime rate
Religious groups
Some business leaders-who believed that alcohol made workers less efficient
What is the temperance movement
The push for the ban of alcohol
Who implemented the 18th amendment (prohibition)
President Herbert Hoover
Why was prohibition widely unsuccessful
Impossible to enforce-only 1500 enforcement agent
Agents were often bribed
Many offenders weren’t punished
It was difficult to control illegal import of alcohol due to the long borders
It was very unpopular with Americans
Speakeasies-illegal bars
The increase of organised crime
What happened to the number of bars (speakeasies) in NYC during prohibition
Number of bars doubled
Name the most powerful gangsters during prohibition
Al Capone
George Moran
Lucky Luciano
Why did crime rates increase during prohibition
Gangs used violence to protect their area in order to keep profits high
How much did Al Capone make during prohibition
$60 million (700 million in todays money)
How many arrests did Moe Smith and Izzy Einstein make
4392
What happened to the consumption of alcohol
Declined by 50%
How many arrests did federal agents make
66878
What happened to the rate of death due to alcohol
Dropped by 42%
What happened to crime rates
Dropped by 54%
What did gangsta George Remus bribe prohibition agents with
$25,000 cufflinks
