Prohibition and Crime
Essential Question: Would you consider the
government's passage of the 18th Amendment an over-reaction to the
problem of alcohol? How do the actions of gangsters/bootleggers support
the position that the government and temperance leaders had gone too
far?
In the 1920s, America had a big conflicting view on alcohol. Due to a large amount of drunks and abuse, the government decided something needed to be changed. The 18th Amendment and prohibiting alcohol was an attempt to lower the amount of drinking in America. This did need to change, but the whole step was taken too dramatically. This led to disobedience to the government causing an increase in crime. Crime was their way of acting as if law served no purpose.
In the 1920s, America had a big conflicting view on alcohol. Due to a large amount of drunks and abuse, the government decided something needed to be changed. The 18th Amendment and prohibiting alcohol was an attempt to lower the amount of drinking in America. This did need to change, but the whole step was taken too dramatically. This led to disobedience to the government causing an increase in crime. Crime was their way of acting as if law served no purpose.
Key Points:
-How effective was the 18th Amendment?
When the 18th Amendment came out it prohibited people from buying or selling alcohol. The 18th Amendment was successful in lowering the amount of people drinking alcoholic beverages by about 25%. It also proved that we have a higher system of government was able to adapt with the changes for the needs of the people. As time went on, disregard for the new law grew. This then led to organized crime and secret underground clubs. So, the 18th Amendment worked till a point, but it also caused a opposite effect in some cases.
-How did the government deal with violations of the Volstead Act?
The 18th Amendment set up prohibition in America and the Volstead Act clarified it. It set a small percentage as the limit and also gave specific punishments and fines for violators. People who were caught disobeying the law had to pay high fines. There were also chances of imprisonment. Paying for officials also made these crimes worth looking into. At the same time, many were willing to take the risk while doing their best to avoid getting caught.
-Why do the 1920s have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime? Is it deserved?
With the new laws, many people in America began disobeyed them and organized crime. Gangsters grew more common. Their jobs were to profit off and 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 server the stolen alcohol. Gangsters, such as Al Capone, was widely recognized as the example that lives on through history. He was connected to the death of over 200 people.
-How effective was the 18th Amendment?
When the 18th Amendment came out it prohibited people from buying or selling alcohol. The 18th Amendment was successful in lowering the amount of people drinking alcoholic beverages by about 25%. It also proved that we have a higher system of government was able to adapt with the changes for the needs of the people. As time went on, disregard for the new law grew. This then led to organized crime and secret underground clubs. So, the 18th Amendment worked till a point, but it also caused a opposite effect in some cases.
-How did the government deal with violations of the Volstead Act?
The 18th Amendment set up prohibition in America and the Volstead Act clarified it. It set a small percentage as the limit and also gave specific punishments and fines for violators. People who were caught disobeying the law had to pay high fines. There were also chances of imprisonment. Paying for officials also made these crimes worth looking into. At the same time, many were willing to take the risk while doing their best to avoid getting caught.
-Why do the 1920s have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime? Is it deserved?
With the new laws, many people in America began disobeyed them and organized crime. Gangsters grew more common. Their jobs were to profit off and 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 server the stolen alcohol. Gangsters, such as Al Capone, was widely recognized as the example that lives on through history. He was connected to the death of over 200 people.
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Vocabulary:
Speakeasy- A saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during Prohibition.
Bootlegger- Alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, sold, or transported, without registration or payment of taxes.
Speakeasy- A saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during Prohibition.
Bootlegger- Alcoholic liquor unlawfully made, sold, or transported, without registration or payment of taxes.
Thinking like a Historian
Many prohibition leaders of the time believed that taking out alcohol would mean less domestic violence and a more enjoyable country. While trying to make the country a more sober place, speakeasies built and gangsters were made up. With the cut off of their alcoholic beverages, the crime rate became higher. Gangsters were now producing and selling their alcohol with disregard to the government. The accidental affects were not expected, which eventually led to the repeal of the 18 Amendment. As a result, it affected all the cities where organized crime soared.
Many prohibition leaders of the time believed that taking out alcohol would mean less domestic violence and a more enjoyable country. While trying to make the country a more sober place, speakeasies built and gangsters were made up. With the cut off of their alcoholic beverages, the crime rate became higher. Gangsters were now producing and selling their alcohol with disregard to the government. The accidental affects were not expected, which eventually led to the repeal of the 18 Amendment. As a result, it affected all the cities where organized crime soared.
APPARTS
Author: Carey Orr. Political cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune.
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.
