Pages 14-18 of USA A5 booklet (prohibition, immigration) Flashcards
Which groups campaigned to start prohibition?
The Temperance Movement campaigned to start prohibition. It was made up by Christians.
What were the 2 main groups within the temperance society?
Anti-saloon league
Women’s Christian Temperance Society.
What did many people think of making alcohol?
Waste of grain, when there were many people in Europe starving following the destruction of farmland from WW1.
What did John D Rockefeller think about prohibition?
He thought that there would be a more reliable workforce due to there not being any hangovers.
How many babies were smothered every year due to drunken parents?
3000 babies a year.
Why was drinking alcohol seen as unpatriotic?
It was seen as unpatriotic (going against America) because it gave German Breweries lots of money.
When was prohibition?
From 1920 - 1933
What were illegal bars called?
Speakeasies.
What were suppliers of illegal alcohol called?
Bootleggers.
How much did Al Capone make from his speakeasies every year?
$60 million per year.
What is the quote from Al Capone about prohibition?
“Prohibition is a business. All i do is supply a public demand”.
In what year was there more speakeasies than saloons in 1919?
By 1925 there were more speakeasies than there were saloons in 1919.
What was illegal alcohol called?
Moonshine.
How many stills did agents seize during prohibition?
280 000 stills were seized during prohibition.
How much of the illegal alcohol came from Canada?
Roughly 2 thirds.
Who was one of the most famous bootleggers?
Captain McCoy, who specialised in the finest scotch whiskey. This is where the phrase “The real McCoy” comes from.
How were big breweries and speakeasies able to stay open during prohibition?
They bribed Government officials and agents to leave them alone - in some cities, officers were willing.
How many prohibition agents were dismissed for corruption?
1 in 12 agents were dismissed for corruption.
Who was the New York boss, what did he do to find corrupt agents?
Don Chaplin. He ordered 200 of his prohibition agents
“Put your hands on the table, both of them. Every son of a bitch wearing a diamond is fired”
What was the 3 main reasons why prohibition was a failure?
- Lack of support
- Not enough prohibition agents - were responsible for a too big area.
- Poorly paid agents, lead to them becoming corrupt.
How much did the consumption of alcohol fall?
30% - 50%
How many arrests had been made by Federal agents in 1921, what had this increased to 1929?
In 1921 they had made 43,175 arrests, in 1929 this had increased to 66,878.
During prohibition, how much did the death rate due to alcohol decrease by?
The rate of alcohol related deaths decreased by 42%.
How much did death rates due to cirrhosis of the liver decrease by?
Decreased by 70%.
During prohibition, how much did crime decrease by?
Crime decreased by 54%.