Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime
Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime
Peter H. Mitchell
Neumann University
Thesis: Although prohibition's goal was to increase a sense of integrity in the United States, it encouraged normally law-abiding citizens to break the law, enabled the growth and influence of organized crime, and increased levels of corruption in government and law-enforcement.
Outline:
I. Introduction A. Definition of Prohibition B. Eighteenth Amendment C. Medicinal Use D. Sacramental Use
II. Affects of Prohibition A. Wine Consumption B. Winery Survival C. Volstead Act
III. Crime and Corruption A. Bootlegging B. Smuggling C. Speakeasies IV. Al Capone A. Chicago Mob B. St Valentine’s Day Massacre C. The Demise of Al Capone and Prohibition
V. Conclusions
Although prohibition's goal was to a increase sense of integrity in the United States, it encouraged normally law-abiding citizens to break the law, enabled the growth and influence of organized crime, and increased levels of corruption in government and law-enforcement. The purpose of Prohibition was to protect the values sheltered by “Americans” nuclear family (Clark 13). Prohibition in the United States was designed to reduce drinking by eliminating the businesses that manufactured, distributed, and sold alcoholic beverages. Prohibition was supposed to lower crime and corruption, reduce social problems, lower taxes needed to support prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America. Instead, Alcohol became more dangerous to consume; organized crime blossomed; courts and prisons systems became overloaded; and endemic corruption of police and public officials occurred. In 1919, America was torn with the decision of prohibiting liquor from being sold. There were many incentives to do so. However, political officials did not take into account that people would get what they wanted regardless of the law. With prohibition, America was set for an
Peter H. Mitchell
Neumann University
Thesis: Although prohibition's goal was to increase a sense of integrity in the United States, it encouraged normally law-abiding citizens to break the law, enabled the growth and influence of organized crime, and increased levels of corruption in government and law-enforcement.
Outline:
I. Introduction A. Definition of Prohibition B. Eighteenth Amendment C. Medicinal Use D. Sacramental Use
II. Affects of Prohibition A. Wine Consumption B. Winery Survival C. Volstead Act
III. Crime and Corruption A. Bootlegging B. Smuggling C. Speakeasies IV. Al Capone A. Chicago Mob B. St Valentine’s Day Massacre C. The Demise of Al Capone and Prohibition
V. Conclusions
Although prohibition's goal was to a increase sense of integrity in the United States, it encouraged normally law-abiding citizens to break the law, enabled the growth and influence of organized crime, and increased levels of corruption in government and law-enforcement. The purpose of Prohibition was to protect the values sheltered by “Americans” nuclear family (Clark 13). Prohibition in the United States was designed to reduce drinking by eliminating the businesses that manufactured, distributed, and sold alcoholic beverages. Prohibition was supposed to lower crime and corruption, reduce social problems, lower taxes needed to support prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America. Instead, Alcohol became more dangerous to consume; organized crime blossomed; courts and prisons systems became overloaded; and endemic corruption of police and public officials occurred. In 1919, America was torn with the decision of prohibiting liquor from being sold. There were many incentives to do so. However, political officials did not take into account that people would get what they wanted regardless of the law. With prohibition, America was set for an
Cited: Behr, Edward. Prohibition: Thirteen Years that changed America. New York: Arcade Publishing, 1996. Print. Clark, Norman. Deliver Us from Evil; An Interpretation of American Prohibition. Toronto: Norton, 1976. Print Clark in this book goes in depth and explains all the social activities throughout the different phases of Prohibition Coffey, Thomas. The long thirst: Prohibition in America. Norton, 1975. Print. Cohen, Daniel. Prohibition; America Makes Alcohol Illegal. Millbrook Pr, 1995. Print Daniel Cohen’s book discusses temperance movements in the United States, and the impact that the prohibition of alcohol had on the nation Depalma, Brian. The Untouchables. Paramount Pictures. 1987 Depalma’s film inspired my research for this paper Kobler, John. Ardent Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. London, Michael Joseph Ltd, 1974. Print Kobler’s book gave an interesting and accurate account of what America was like during Prohibition Nishi, Dennis. Prohibition. Greenhaven Pr, 2004. Print A well written view of the historical, social, and political issues surrounding Prohibition Norton, Mary. A People and a Nation: since 1865. Houghton Mifflin College Div, 2005. Print. Anti-Saloon League Organization "Anti-Saloon League." Nov 20, 2009. http://www.wpl.lib.oh.us:80/AntiSaloon/ The Anti-Saloon League was the leading organization lobbying for Prohibition in the United States in the early 20th century FBI Famous Cases: Al Capone. Nov 28, 2009 http://www.fbi.gov/libref/historic/famcases/capone/capone.htm Szandzik , Eric. Prohibition. Michigan University, James Madison College. Nov 28, 2009. Temperance and Prohibition. Ohio State University Dept of Humanities. Nov 18, 2009 http://prohibition.osu.edu/content/why_prohibition.cfm Prohibition in the United States. 1920-1930.com. November 30, 2009 http://www.1920-30.com/prohibition/ Homemade Wine Prohibitions. Ehow.com. December 4, 2009 http://www.ehow.com/about_5431821_homemade-wine-prohibitions.html