1920s & 30s Boom & Bust

Post-War Issues Tens of thousands of soldiers return home to a Canada they barely know

Influenza pandemic million die world wide in 1918

Thousands of walking wounded Thousands of walking wounded Women working outside the home Women working outside the home Can’t buy a drink! Can’t buy a drink!

Prohibition Alcohol was banned in 1918 Why? Alcoholism Crime Poverty Domestic Violence

Today ~ Alcohol is a factor in: 60-70% of homicides 75% of stabbings 70% of beatings 50% of fights

60 – 70 % of Domestic Violence 60 – 70 % of Domestic Violence

74% of Sexual Assault 74% of Sexual Assault

70% of Child Abuse 70% of Child Abuse

Alcohol costs society Billions of dollars a year in crime and lost wages Alcohol costs society Billions of dollars a year in crime and lost wages

Women's Christian Temperance Union had campaigned for a ban on liquor

The group was supported by farmers, churches and merchant associations

Positive Effects of Prohibition: Crime rate dropped and arrests for drunkeness decreased dramatically Crime rate dropped and arrests for drunkeness decreased dramatically arrests for drunkenness dropped by 93%. arrests for drunkenness dropped by 93%.

More workers took their paychecks home instead of to the tavern (spending it on alcohol) More workers took their paychecks home instead of to the tavern (spending it on alcohol) Family savings accounts doubled. Family savings accounts doubled.

Wives and children were no longer beaten so frequently. Wives and children were no longer beaten so frequently.

Industrial efficiency improved because fewer work days were missed due to drunkeness and hangovers Industrial efficiency improved because fewer work days were missed due to drunkeness and hangovers

Negative Effects of Prohibition Created new kind of crime " Bootlegging" Bootleg booze (selling illegal liquor) Created new kind of crime " Bootlegging" Bootleg booze (selling illegal liquor) Speakeasies sprang up Speakeasies sprang up

Canadians smuggled liquor South of the border as the making of alcohol was still legal in Canada but not in the U.S. Canadians smuggled liquor South of the border as the making of alcohol was still legal in Canada but not in the U.S. Smugglers were known as "Rumrunners" Smugglers were known as "Rumrunners"

Rumrunners would use speedboats, sleighs, hearses, cars, trucks to move the booze. Later aircraft were used. Rumrunners would use speedboats, sleighs, hearses, cars, trucks to move the booze. Later aircraft were used.booze.

Organized Crime took root in Canada Organized Crime took root in Canada

“Speakeasies”, “Blind pigs” were slang terms for illegal liquor sources. “Speakeasies”, “Blind pigs” were slang terms for illegal liquor sources.

Rocco Perri becomes Canada’s most infamous gangster Rocco Perri becomes Canada’s most infamous gangster

Al, “Scarface”, Capone was one of the biggest crime figures in the U.S. Al, “Scarface”, Capone was one of the biggest crime figures in the U.S.“Scarface”, Capone “Scarface”, Capone

Politicians and Police were on the payrolls of crime figures. Corruption was everywhere. Politicians and Police were on the payrolls of crime figures. Corruption was everywhere. “It’s easier to hit an official with a wad of money than a club.”

Some individuals and independent bar operators made alcohol in stills. Some individuals and independent bar operators made alcohol in stills. This was known as “Bathtub gin” or “moonshine” and was often laced with dangerous additives and chemicals. This was known as “Bathtub gin” or “moonshine” and was often laced with dangerous additives and chemicals. Some died or went blind from drinking bad alcohol Some died or went blind from drinking bad alcohol

Governments realized prohibition was impossible to enforce Governments realized prohibition was impossible to enforce Powerful pressure groups such as veterans organizations pushed for this. Powerful pressure groups such as veterans organizations pushed for this. Provinces started repealling the prohibition laws throughout the 20s Provinces started repealling the prohibition laws throughout the 20s PEI -last province-1948 PEI -last province-1948

People wanted government controlled liquor outlets. People wanted government controlled liquor outlets. Today we have the LCBO and Brewer’s Retail Today we have the LCBO and Brewer’s Retail We still have the organized crime that took root during prohibition We still have the organized crime that took root during prohibition

Valentines Day Massacre