Prohibition & Crime
During this period of change in the United States, there was a much conflicting view of alcohol. Due to a large amount of drunkenness and abuse, many decided something needed to be changed. Creating the 18th Amendment and prohibiting alcohol was an attempt to lower the amount of drinking in America. While something did need to be done and regulated, the step taken was too dramatic. This led to the disobedience of the government and increase of crime. Because it was such a dependence or staple for many, the price to pay was high. Thus, it was a large money making money for gangsters and organized crime. It was their way of not listening to the law and acting as if it served no purpose.
Vocabulary:
Speakeasy: establishment that illegally sold alcoholic beverages in the 1920s, during prohibition.
Bootlegger: A person who illegally transports and sells alcohol.
Speakeasy: establishment that illegally sold alcoholic beverages in the 1920s, during prohibition.
Bootlegger: A person who illegally transports and sells alcohol.
Thinking like a Historian
Cause and Effect:
Many prohibition leaders of the time believed that taking out alcohol would would mean less domestic violence and a more enjoyable and put together country. While trying to make the country a more sober place, a negative effect occurred. The dramatic cut off of alcohol made the crime rate higher for illegal substances. Many gangsters, part of organized crime, were now producing and selling their alcohol with disregard to the government. These accidental affects were not expected which eventually led to the repeal of the Amendment. In result, it affected all, especially in the cities where organized crime soared.
Many prohibition leaders of the time believed that taking out alcohol would would mean less domestic violence and a more enjoyable and put together country. While trying to make the country a more sober place, a negative effect occurred. The dramatic cut off of alcohol made the crime rate higher for illegal substances. Many gangsters, part of organized crime, were now producing and selling their alcohol with disregard to the government. These accidental affects were not expected which eventually led to the repeal of the Amendment. In result, it affected all, especially in the cities where organized crime soared.
18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment, or the prohibition of alcohol, stated that alcohol could not legally be sold, transported, or manufactured in the country. This was a dramatic change in the way of life for many. Many people of America looked at the beverage as routine and a staple in life. The sudden exclusion through an amendment caused great chaos through out the United States. The law meant to reduce death, crime, and poverty caused by alcohol. It is seen that alcohol consumption went down. As time went of, disregard for the law grew. This led to organized crime and secrets underground clubs. Thus, it worked to a point, but also caused a opposite effect in some cases.
Volstead Act
While the 18th Amendment set up prohibition in the U.S., the Volstead Act clarified it. It set a small percentage as the limit and also gave specific punishments and fines for violators. For people caught disobeying the law, high fines were set. Also, there was a chance at imprisonment. Pay for officials also made these crimes worth looking into. All at the same time, many were willing to take the risk while doing their best to avoid getting caught.
Gangsters and Crime
With a new disregard and disobedience to the law, organized crime. Gangsters grew more common, as their job was to profit off of smuggling alcohol into the country. There was such a demand for the product that it was very difficult not to see the business opportunity. Speakeasies were opened illegally to serve this alcohol, though against the law. Main gangster, Al Capone, is widely recognized as the example that lives on through history. He was connected to the death of over 200 people.
APPARTS - "Bullet Proof"
Author: Carey Orr was a cartoon artist during the time for the Chicago Tribune. He was a political cartoonist.
Place and Time: April 29, 1926- Chicago. In Chicago at the time, there was much organized crime off the prohibition. There was much gangster activity.
Prior Knowledge: Gangsters, such as Al Capone, used organized crime to proceed with illegal activity. The root cause was usually importing and selling illegal alcohol.
Audience: This was to the people of Chicago just as an overall view of what was going on.
Reason: The law at the time was under organized crime. It had grown too big to take control of. It serves the purpose of sharing the story of the time.
Main Idea: Organized crime now caused disregard for the law. It was very difficult to sotp.
Place and Time: April 29, 1926- Chicago. In Chicago at the time, there was much organized crime off the prohibition. There was much gangster activity.
Prior Knowledge: Gangsters, such as Al Capone, used organized crime to proceed with illegal activity. The root cause was usually importing and selling illegal alcohol.
Audience: This was to the people of Chicago just as an overall view of what was going on.
Reason: The law at the time was under organized crime. It had grown too big to take control of. It serves the purpose of sharing the story of the time.
Main Idea: Organized crime now caused disregard for the law. It was very difficult to sotp.