Prohibition and crime
Teagan
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.
I would consider the government's passage of the 18th Amendment an over-reaction to the problem of alcohol because crime did not get better liked the government and temperance leaders thought it would by banning alcohol. Gangsters and bootleggers were prime examples of why the government over reacted to the alcohol problem by getting rid of it, almost, completely during this time. There were people, like bootleggers, who would continue to drink and sell alcohol whether it was illegal or not. And the amount of violence within homes and families may have decreased because there weren't as many drunk people but the crime and violence caused by gangsters increased in the 20s because of the lack of alcohol.
I would consider the government's passage of the 18th Amendment an over-reaction to the problem of alcohol because crime did not get better liked the government and temperance leaders thought it would by banning alcohol. Gangsters and bootleggers were prime examples of why the government over reacted to the alcohol problem by getting rid of it, almost, completely during this time. There were people, like bootleggers, who would continue to drink and sell alcohol whether it was illegal or not. And the amount of violence within homes and families may have decreased because there weren't as many drunk people but the crime and violence caused by gangsters increased in the 20s because of the lack of alcohol.
Key Points
How effective was the 18th Amendment?
National Prohibition of alcohol (1920-30) was undertaken to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden, and also improve health in America. This Amendment was effective, but not completely. The consumption of alcohol declined dramatically under prohibition. In the early 1920s, consumption of beverage alcohol was about 30% of the pre-prohibition level. Consumption grew somewhat in the last years of prohibition, as illegal supplies of liquor increased and as a new generation of Americans disregarded the law. But, it was a long time after repeal before consumption rates rose to their pre-prohibition levels. In that sense, prohibition "worked." But at the time, no one seemed to comprehend that the law would be difficult to enforce. And certainly no one understood how Prohibition would lead to so much organized crime.
National Prohibition of alcohol (1920-30) was undertaken to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden, and also improve health in America. This Amendment was effective, but not completely. The consumption of alcohol declined dramatically under prohibition. In the early 1920s, consumption of beverage alcohol was about 30% of the pre-prohibition level. Consumption grew somewhat in the last years of prohibition, as illegal supplies of liquor increased and as a new generation of Americans disregarded the law. But, it was a long time after repeal before consumption rates rose to their pre-prohibition levels. In that sense, prohibition "worked." But at the time, no one seemed to comprehend that the law would be difficult to enforce. And certainly no one understood how Prohibition would lead to so much organized crime.
How did the government deal with violations of the Volstead Act?
To help enforce the 18th Amendment, Congress passed the Volstead Act. This Act defined what an intoxicating liquor was and outlined specific punishments for violations. It was deemed that anything with more than of 1% alcohol was now illegal. For the first offense you could be jailed up to 6 months plus a $1000 fine. For a second offense, you could serve up to 5 years in jail with a fine of $10,000
Why do the 1920s have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime? Is it deserved?
The 1920s have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime because of all the organized crime that occurred when the 18th Amendment, Prohibition, was in effect. The 1920s have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime because they managed to avoid the police and rob people of millions. AlCapone even was known for bribing the police. These actions support the idea that the government and temperance leaders went too far because people caused more harm and crime than if alcohol was legal.
The 1920s have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime because of all the organized crime that occurred when the 18th Amendment, Prohibition, was in effect. The 1920s have such a big reputation for gangsters and crime because they managed to avoid the police and rob people of millions. AlCapone even was known for bribing the police. These actions support the idea that the government and temperance leaders went too far because people caused more harm and crime than if alcohol was legal.
Vocabulary
Speakeasy- a saloon or night club selling alcoholic beverages illegally
Bootlegger- To deal in (liquor or other goods) unlawfully
Bootlegger- To deal in (liquor or other goods) unlawfully
- Bootleg- alchohol or liquor unlawfully made, sold, or transport, without registration or payment of taxes
Thinking like a historian
Cause and Effect
Who or what made change happen? The change, prohibition, was created by the government. The 18th Amendment was ratified on January 16, 1919 and went into effect one year later on January 16, 1920.
Who supported change? The change of making alcohol illegal was supported by the government along with temperance leaders. There were also many self-developed groups that wanted to make the US "dry".
Who did not support change? The change was not supported by many "normal" general people who would drink just for fun. This change was also not supported by people known as bootleggers who would illegally make, sell, drink, and buy alcohol.
Which effects were intended? The intended effect of prohibition was to stop violence and crime. There was a lot of crime taking place in homes, along with on the streets by people who would be very drunk and the government, along with temperance leaders wanted it to stop.
Who supported change? The change of making alcohol illegal was supported by the government along with temperance leaders. There were also many self-developed groups that wanted to make the US "dry".
Who did not support change? The change was not supported by many "normal" general people who would drink just for fun. This change was also not supported by people known as bootleggers who would illegally make, sell, drink, and buy alcohol.
Which effects were intended? The intended effect of prohibition was to stop violence and crime. There was a lot of crime taking place in homes, along with on the streets by people who would be very drunk and the government, along with temperance leaders wanted it to stop.
primary source analysis
Author- Treasury Department of Justice, Bureau of Prohibition
special agents involved in case Gerald V. Close and Donald B. Rodgers
Place and Time- May 6, 1932 in Tacoma, Washington to Cleveland, Ohio
Prior Knowledge-Alcohol was still illegal during this time. The 18th amendment was not generally liked by the public, which forced them to make their own liquor. This led to smuggling it across borders.
Audience-The intended audience is the people of Cleveland, Ohio and Tacoma, Washington
Reason-It was produced because there was a problem with smuggling illegal liquors across the borders and the seizure of alcohol.
The Main Idea-There is a problem with this and we need to learn how to solve it.
Significance-This shows how even there there was a law against alcohol, people still did anything to get it. The law really did not help at all.
special agents involved in case Gerald V. Close and Donald B. Rodgers
Place and Time- May 6, 1932 in Tacoma, Washington to Cleveland, Ohio
Prior Knowledge-Alcohol was still illegal during this time. The 18th amendment was not generally liked by the public, which forced them to make their own liquor. This led to smuggling it across borders.
Audience-The intended audience is the people of Cleveland, Ohio and Tacoma, Washington
Reason-It was produced because there was a problem with smuggling illegal liquors across the borders and the seizure of alcohol.
The Main Idea-There is a problem with this and we need to learn how to solve it.
Significance-This shows how even there there was a law against alcohol, people still did anything to get it. The law really did not help at all.