Background

• During the Progressive Era, many states banned alcohol. (1901-1920)

• Some Americans thought alcohol caused too many problems

• others thought banning alcohol would stop immigrants from moving to America.

• Some thought drinking was sinful

The 18th Amendment

• The 18th Amendment made it illegal to make, sell or transport alcohol.

1920-1933

​This was called Prohibition

Not all Americans were happy

They thought prohibition was a terrible idea.

Speakeasies

• were places that sold alcohol illegally

• To enter, you had to "speak easy"

• This meant saying a password to get you in

Bootleggers

• were people that made, sold, or transported alcohol illegally

• Some people made "bathtub gin"

• Bathtub gin was often very dangerous to drink

• Some people died from drinking it

Moonshine

Moonshine was homemade alcohol made in the Appalachian mountains

This means states like West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee)

True

• moonshiners in North Carolina put bigger, more powerful engines in their cars

• they wanted to be able to outrun the police

• They started racing one another, and as a result...

• NASCAR RACING was born.

Problems with Prohibition

• It was impossible to enforce

• It turned normal people into criminals

• Some policeman, politicians and judges took bribes to look the other way.

Some Americans however

• took Prohibition very seriously

• They turned in neighbors that drank

• Some law officials did their job the best they could

Prohibition led to the rise of organized crime and gangsters like ....

Al Capone

• grew up in tough New York neighborhood

• joined Gentleman Johnny Torio's gang

• Capone donated $ to charities, went to church. People liked him.

Capone

• made millions in bootlegging, prostitution and gambling

• He controlled the city of Chicago

The Untouchables

contains one of Capone's most famous incidents. - The Bloody Bat!

Capone's rival in Chicago

was Bugs Moran

The St. Valentines Day Massacre 1929

• Bugs Moran tried to kill Capone

• He failed

• Capone vowed revenge

• On February 14th 1929, he got it...

b

​Capone arranged the murder of 7 rival gang members

Was Capone punished?

• No, he had an alibi

• He was with his mistress in Florida.

• Before authorities could question her, Capone married her.

Elliot Ness

The man who finally brought Capone down

The Untouchables

Ness had a group of law enforcement officials that could not be corrupted.

They cleaned up Chicago

The movie The Untouchables

​

Tells the story of Capone and Ness

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Capone was sent to Alcatraz Prison - known as the Rock

Prohibition Ended in 1933

• The Government needed $

• Not taxing alcohol cost the government billions of dollars.

• The 21st Amendment ended Prohibition