Table of Contents
An opening
The process of creating something.
Fall of Prohibition
Organized Crime
Works citées
An opening
From the 1920s to the 1930s, the United States experienced one of its most bizarre prohibitions. This was the time alcohol was banned in America. This was when alcoholism was rampant and there was political corruption. In response, religious revivalism was born. It emphasized the importance of temperance, abolitionism and perfectionionism in human beings. This movement was already in existence since the 1820s, but only became popularized in the 1920s. The 1800s were a time when temperance was popularized by the church. The 18th amendment to US Constitution was ratified, and thus the prohibition era. This amendment resulted in the prohibition of the sale, transportation, or manufacture of any intoxicating alcohols. The Volstead Act, which was passed later to help enforce the temperance law (Stelzer), was also introduced. Ironically, however, these efforts created a society that faced a more complicated problem than expected, namely the rise in organized crime.
ConceptionThe prohibition period is the period between the 1920s to the 1930s in which alcohol production, transport and sale were all prohibited. This was America’s most famous history, lasting 13 years. Temperance was first declared in the 1800s. It had been growing momentum for many years. The church, which was renowned for its religious revivalism and pushing for human perfectionionism and abolitionist ideals, provided a lot of support. A lot of campaigns at that time mentioned alcoholism and the increase in family violence. There was also some corruption in the opposition agendas. There were over 6000 local societies in the United States by 1833. Parts of Massachusetts were the first to see the legal backing needed for temperance. The ban on alcohol sales under 15 gallons started the process of getting the law in place. Maine was the place where 1846 saw the passage of the first prohibition laws. This led to a series legislations that were later adopted before the American Civil war. The US constitution’s eighteenth Amendment was later added. The law that banned the importation, production, and sale of alcohol was passed by both chambers in the US Congress. The three-fourths of the US states joined the committee for ratification in 1919. Wayne Wheeler was the Anti-Saloon League leader. With slow enforcement, however, it became apparent that an enforcement law was needed. The Volstead Act was created. This is commonly known as The National Prohibition Act. This law was adopted in 1919 and went into effect the next year. This was combined with the Eighteenth Amendment to enforce the legislation. Andrew Volstead was then the chairman of House of Judiciary Committee. This was the key to the bill’s passage and ultimately the prohibition. The Prohibition was repealed by Woodrow Wilson, the president. Many church leaders argued for prohibition because it would lead to a safer society and less alcohol abuse. If alcohol was banned, people could live a happier and more healthy life. They could live a happier life with their families, pursue their dreams, and work hard for the country’s growth. The church and politicians who were advocating for the abolition of alcohol prohibition have been promoting illegal alcohol. The preconceived notion that money previously going to alcohol would now fuel a new, prosperous economy was a common misconception. People were increasingly buying illegal alcohol. There were still people who made their own liquor. Over the course of the next decade, there was a steady stream of those who went into private distillation and bootlegging. People were determined to have a few drinks, so they began to seek out legal channels, such as Ragan, Lisa, Ragan and Carlan. People don’t want to drink alcohol. Rather, the proliferation of illegal channels is linked to the alcohol economy. The prohibition did not affect customers as much, but the breweries which employed thousands of people (Ray) The supply chain businesses were hardest hit. The industry’s hop farmers invested millions. Hauckand Sven stated that the truck driver who had been delivering the goods along the supply chains was now out of work. For barrel makers and support service providers, this was also true. All those who had lost jobs needed to get back at the system. People were more determined to ensure that their businesses were running smoothly and delivered liquor to customers on time. The rise in illegal alcohol sales led to more sophisticated business operations. The new business model of selling illegal liquor was the speakeasy. People opened businesses that were legal and used a few rooms as secret bars. A speakeasy was an ice cream parlor (Carlan, Lisa and Ragan). These were nightclubs that featured jazz musicians and singers. To gain entry, one must know the password. Even the names of the drinks weren’t used. They were given pseudonyms to ensure that they were not known by their users before being served. The code was used to control the illegal liquor production, transport, distribution, and distillation. Women could also enjoy the secrets of the speakeasies. Women were not allowed to consume alcohol. The operators often had to bribe local police officers and politicians to get their operations going. Here is when the prohibition era became a nightmare. Gangsters and organized crime swept in.
Organized crimeThe number of illegal establishments was on the rise and many operators were fighting for control. Organized CrimeThe establishments offered more than alcohol. They also provided prostitution and gambling services to their customers (Stelzer). They were able keep the distribution channels running. They were able quickly to deliver the products without having to be questioned by the authorities. The ease of operation was made possible by bribing local police and high ranking officials. Criminal gangs were able to make illegal sales of alcohol and expand their reach to hard drugs. They were just as skilled and principled in operating illegal chains than the legitimate. People who strayed from the line could easily endanger their lives (Stelzer). The gangsters could also establish gambling and prostitution networks, as well as labor racketeering, loan sharking, and extortion channels. These powerful organizations were led by criminal lords who were brutal. They were the law for the area they served (Ray).
The American mafia crime bosses are just a few examples of the brutal gangs that rose to power in the wake of prohibition. This gang was formed largely of Italian bootleggers. It was associated with organized crime’s 1920s era. They ruled New York City without any impunity. It was this that Johnny Torrio, a New York City crime boss, emerged. Later, he would move to Chicago to further his empire. Al Capone, one of the most prominent of that era, would take over the establishment in 1925. There were many gangs that ruled the territories of the United States. They were mostly of mixed racial and political affiliations. The rivalry between gangs was fatal, with many bodies being left on the streets by anyone who opposed them (Stelzer). This was a multi-billion dollar business and the gangs would do anything to keep their position and stay ahead. Al Capone’s wealth was estimated to have reached $100, 000 by 1927. Al Capone was just one of many organized crime syndicates’ crime bosses. The Great Depression was not helpful as crime syndicates offered more public services than the government could provide. In some cases, they even built social amenities. Crime bosses were also praised for providing protection. The government needed to find a solution. The Culen Harrison Act was signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president at the time. This amendment to the Volstead Act allowed for the production and sale of wines and low-alcohol beers. The Twenty First Amendment was ratified in 1933, which further rectified the error that had cost Americans.
The church tried to build a society that was as godly and holy as the first. But it was a dangerous society. The streets were now flooded with drugs and gangs. The American prohibition era will be remembered for being one of America’s most important periods.
Works citées
Hauck and Pierre. International Law & Transnational Organised Crime , 2016. Print.
Blocker Jack S. Fahey; Ian R. Tyrrell An International Encyclopedia of Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2003. Print.
Fahey. Jon Miller. A Historical Encyclopedia of Alcohol and Drugs in North America. , 2013. Print.
Carlan. Philip E. Nored. Ragan. An introduction to criminal law. Jones and Bartlett Publishers released Sudbury, Mass in 2011. Print.
Stelzer, Patricia J. Prohibition, Organized Crime and the Law: A Case Study: An Examine of John Torrio’s Personal Life. , 1997. Print.
Ray, Hoyt. “Crime and Prohibition”. Journal Of Criminal Law And Criminology. Vol 38, no. 2, 1947, https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3465&context=jclc. Accessed 13 March 2018.
