prohibition and organised crime Flashcards
what was prohibition?
making distribution of alcohol illegal
why did people want prohibition?
alcohol was associated with high crime rates and violence in cities
why was enforcing prohibition difficult?
public wanted to buy alcohol
what was a moonshiner?
someone who made their own liquor
what was a rum-runner?
someone who smuggled alcohol into the usa
what was a bootlegger?
someone who took alcohol that was meant to be used in industry and made it drinkable
what was a speakasie?
illegal drinking club
who was al capone?
powerful gang leader in 1920s
ran many speakasies in chicago
battled with other gangs for control
what did capones battles for control lead to?
extreme violence and murders
how did capone benefit from prohibition?
he was very successful
influential in society
earned lots of money
why was there opposition to prohibition in urban areas?
people realised criminals benefited from prohibition
divided american society as poor people could not afford to buy illegally made alcohol like the rich
why did prohibition fail to meet its aims?
people kept drinking together
organised crime rose
negatively impacted public health as poor alcohol quality caused deaths
