The Prohibition Flashcards
Was the Prohibition at the same time as the fun 1920s
Yes
Also known as “The Nobel Experiment”
How did Prohibition come about?
- The Temperance movement - Christian women - against alcohol.
- Mostly in rural areas - destroyed family life. Men spent money wages on alcohol - no food or money for rent.
- Increase in Domestic violence - hit women - drunk, arguing.
- More crime - drunk
Who were the “Dries”?
They were the people who supported the Prohibition.
- Industrialist - didn’t want drunk workers. Unreliable, dangerous, and stopped production - (business case)
- Politicians - Women had the vote
- WW1 most breweries were German owned - unnationalistic
What was the problem with Prohibition?
Very difficult to enforce.
Under funded, not enough agents, unpopular and caused corruption.
But Alcohol was very expensive so there was a decrease in drinking - especially for the poor.
How did Prohibition lead to corruption?
People created their own alcohol (bootleg / moonshine).
Mafia (Chicargo gangsters) was born. They made money on selling prohibited alcohol (big business)
Made good money - not taxed, no regulations (fire hazard), poisonous. Moved into gambling and prostitution.
Paid police, judges, officials - bribery. Few convictions
Crime - violence - turf wars - gangs fought. New technology - used weapons.
Between 1926-1929, gang warfare led to 1,300 murders.
When did the Prohibition end?
1930s
After the Wall Street Crash…..good business arguments to get rid of Prohibition.
Why did the Prohibition end
St Valentine’s Day massacre 1929 = turning Point. Al Capone men murdered 7 of rival Bugsy Moran’s men, using a false police and police car and. Papers declared - Gangster moved from murder to massacre
People resented the mafia and the fact that they were breaking the law and had lots of money.
Govt needed to take back control (lawlessness). Couldn’t allow criminals to look glamours and look like it was good to break the law. Unfair to hard working, law abiding Americans
Finally ended in 1933
What is Prohibition?
It was a policy in the US from1920 to 1933 -
Volsted Act (1920)
No manufacture, sale or transport of
Intoxication liquor (alcohol)
What was the business case to stop Prohibition in 1930s? Finally ended in 1933
In the 1930s their was an economic depression (Wall Street crash). People had no money and this caused arguments.
Make alcohol legal - stop mafia making money.
Industry can make money - create jobs.
Govt can tax alcohol - make money.
Allowed Police and officials to do other things. Freed up resources.
Who was Al Capone?
Leading Chicago gangster - ruthless
Took over from Johnny Torrio in 1925.
Made millions from illegal alcohol, gambling dens, prostitutes. Used £ to buy a private army to intimidate voters and fight rival gangs.
Murdered 7 people in St. Valentine’s Day massacre.
Eventually sent to prison for 11 years in 1931 for tax evasion. Died in Florida in 1947.
