The Gangster Era and Prohibition Illinois History The Gangster Era and Prohibition

The Temperance Movement During the 1800’s Americans drank more than at any other time Those who did not drink were said to be temperate 1815, the movement to stop alcohol began By 1834, were 1,250,000 members in the American Temperance Society-

American Temperance Society Urged people to pledge not to drink Est. alcohol-free hotels & Boat lines Urged employers to require their workers to sign anti-drinking pledges Between the 1830’s & the 1860’s alcohol consumption dropped dramatically High of 7.1 gallons in 1830 Low of 1.8 gallons in 1860-

Temperance in Illinois The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was founded in 1873. Evanston, Illinois

18th Amendment Passed in January 1919. The sale of liquor legally ended in January 1920.

The Initial Result Many “speakeasies” started up all over America. Many were businesses that sold alcohol in back rooms and basements Many women started going to the speakeasies after prohibition began Women drinking was rare prior to prohibition.

Speakeasies Locations where people could go to drink and take part in other illegal activities. 1922, around 12,000 in Chicago 1926, around 20,000 in Chicago

Big Bill Thompson William Hale Thompson was mayor of Chicago when prohibition began Made it possible for the bootleggers to work unchallenged.

Liquor Traffic Johnny Torrio and Joseph Stenson were the major dealers in the early years in Chicago. Torrio brought Al Capone in from New York to work as an enforcer. Gunman Profits were around $50 million in the beginning.

Johnny Torrio Originally from New York Shot by a rival gang. After recovering he moved first to New York and then on to Italy.

Al Capone Scarface Al Took over after Torrio left Chicago. Oversaw bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, labor racketeering, and extortion of businesses

$$ Show Me The Money $$ During prohibition a $5 barrel of beer could be sold for $55. 1927, the profits were around $110 million $60 M- Alcohol $25 M- Gambling $15M- Labor Racketeering $10M- Extortion

Costs of Doing Business Capone did have to pay for certain people to turn a blind eye to his activities. Bribes were paid to police, bailiffs, court clerks, and prohibition agents.

Old Log Cabin Moran sold a cheaper brand but charged the same as OLC. People quit buying from Moran Moran started hi-jacking Capone’s shipments of OLC. Capone could not prove that Moran was behind the theft of his whiskey.

St. Valentine’s Day Massacre February 14, 1929, Capone’s men dressed as police entered Moran’s garage and killed 6 of Moran’s men and a visitor. Moran was not there and lived. No more shipments were ever touched by Moran’s men.

The End of Prohibition In February 1933, the 21st Amendment was passed ending prohibition.

Basic Information In the 1920’s a Thompson sub-machine gun sold for $225. AKA Tommy Gun or Trench Broom Moran tried to kill Johnny Torrio but was out of bullets. 1925 Capone takes over the gangland empire.