Prohibition Successes v Failures Flashcards
What was the date and the number of the amendment that was passed that enforced prohibition?
The 18th Amendment, passed in 1921.
When was Prohibition Repealed?
1933
What were the 2 major groups of “Drys” who wanted prohibition?
The Womens Christian Temperance Union and the Anti Saloon League
Who led the 2 major groups of Dry’s who wanted prohibition?
WCTA: Frances Willard
Anti-Saloon League: Wayne Wheeler
What happened to the brewery industry in St Louis?
22 Breweries shut down, and only 9 re-opened after prohibition. This led to to the loss of thousands of jobs.
What was the loss from the federal governments tax revenue from liquor tax?
$11 Billion
How much did it cost to enforce Prohibition?
$300 Million
What happened to the New York state budget?
It lost 75% of it’s state budget due to losses from the lack of liquor tax.
What were the acheivements of Izzy Einstein and Mo Smith?
The duo were the most successful prohibition agents. Together they made over 5000 arrests. and seized $15 million worth of alcohol over their careers.
How many arrests by prohibition agents (on average) led to convictions?
60% of arrests led to convictions.
What % of alcohol was estimated to have been seized by prohibition agents during prohibition.
Only 5% was estimated to have been seized.
How many prohibition agents were hired by the government?
2500 agents served a nation of 100 million people.
How much did individual alcohol consumption fall in the US?
It fell from 2.8 units to 1 unit per person.
How much did Cirrhosis of the liver decline in the general population?
29.5 -> 10.7 people per 100,000 between 1911-1929.
How much business in $ became illegal during prohibition due to bootlegging?
$2 Billion
How many gang related shootouts took place in Chicago during the 1920’s?
Over 500
How much did Al Capone’s gang Chicago Outfit earn in 1 year, and by what means?
They earned more than $60 million a year from bootlegging alone.
How much of the Chicago police force was under gang payroll from bribes?
1/2 the police force were taking bribes.
How much did George Remus make in 3 years and by what means?
He made $30 million in 3 years from opening pharmacies (which were allowed to give out “medicinal” alcohol).
By how much did the number of pharmacies in New York increase by?
The number of pharmacies tripled.
By the end of prohibition, how much had the number of speakeasies increased to?
By the end of prohibition, the number of speakeasies had doubled to more than 30,000.
How might you structure an essay where you would have to compare the successes and failures of prohibition?
E.G
FAILURE
- Local Economic Impact
- Support from WCTU & ASL
- Loss in theater revenue
- St Louis Breweries closure
FAILURE
- Federal Economic Impact
- Loss in government tax revenue
- Loss in State Tax revenue (NY)
MIXED
- Limited success of enforcement
- Izzy and Moe Einstein
- Understaffed and underpaid agents
MIXED
- Limited Health benefits
- Individual consumption
- Number of drinkers increased
FAILURE
- Crime & Corruption
- Bootlegging
- Chicago Gang Violence
- Bribery and Corruption
- Pharmacies
- Concurrent Enforcement
Which report outlined the failures of prohibition?
The Wickersham Commission
