1. Was prohibition effective?
Prohibition and Crime
in the 1920’s
Was prohibition effective?

4. It all starts with the 18th
18th Amendment – Prohibition: outlawed the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors. (ratified - Jan. 29, 1919)
The Volstead Act (1919)enforced the 18th Amendment.
The Anti-Saloon League announces –
“Now for an era of clean living and clear thinking!”

5. Enforcement of the Volstead Act

6. Prohibition gives rise to initial difficulties
Bootlegging – the illegal sale of liquor.
Smuggling alcohol from Canada and Mexico.
Homemade booze and backyard stills
Federal Agents destroying alcohol

12. Mob creates an industry that many Americans are willing to support.

13. The Growth of the Mob Italian, Jewish, Irish, Immigrants.
Created “gangs” for protection.
Very well organized – led to money making business during prohibition.
The Purple Gang - Detroit

14. A New Kind of Political Boss
Voters are being persuaded.
Mob puts politicians in their place.
Many elections are rigged.
Police Departments are being bought.

15. The Purple Gang of Detroit

16. The Purple Gang
75% of all imported alcohol comes through the Detroit River.
$215 million dollars in 1929.
Detroit’s second largest business.

19. Famous G’s
Frankie Yale
Johnny Torrio
George “Bugs” Moran

20. Alphonse Gabriel Capone -“Scarface”
Son of Italian Immigrants.
Gang member at an early age
Works for Frankie Yale
Has to move to Chicago to “cool off”
Starts working for Johnny Torrio
Capone - “Scarface”

21. Capone (cont) Takes over in Chicago
Runs many of the cities speakeasies, brothels, and bootlegging operations
Controls the political climate of the city.
Clashes with “Bugs” Moran

22. St. Valentines Day Massacre
Chicago

23. Capone goes to jail???

24. To Catch a Thief…… Elliot Ness – F.B.I.
Lead investigator in charge of catching Al Capone.
“The Untouchables”

25. Capone is Caught! Tax evasion leads to prison - 1932.
Dies in Florida

28. How effective was prohibition?
What about this era of clean living?!?!

29. Amount of Alcohol Consumed per Person from 1910-1929

30. Crime Rate in the U.S. from 1910-1945

31. Was prohibition effective?
The crime rate actually increased.
People still consumed alcohol.
New York City has over 32,000 “speakeasies” by 1929.
Doctors write over 11 million prescriptions for people to use alcohol for medical purposes.
Impossible to enforce!!!!!!!
By 1933 the 21st Amendment is passed.