Pictures
What was Prohibition? Prohibition was the ban of alcoholic substances like beer. The 18th amendment in 1919 officially banned the manufacturing, distributing, and sales of alcohol. It was banned because the government believed that if alcohol was a non factor then the quality of people's lives would improve. Ordinary people became criminals due to this absurd law. Bootleggers and Speakeasies developed in response to Prohibition. Bootleggers were people who distributed and sold alcohol illegally. The reason for the name for bootleggers was that they carried around flasks of alcohol in their boots. Speakeasies were illegal bars that illegally sold alcohol. Because of prohibition a rise in organized crime was seen. Gangs and mobsters ruled the streets. Ordinary people looked at these groups as heroes. The American Mobster’s and European Syndicates thrived. They wanted to be able to drink and these gangs provided it. These gangs around Chicago, New York, and almost every major city did everything from selling and transporting alcohol. They were instrumental in the continued access and drinking of alcohol. Alcoholic substances was the main area of money and source of income for gangs. But they also involved themselves in everything from assassination, money laundering, sale of drugs and also prostitution rings or brothels. Gangs often fought over territory. They would kill the other gangs people. These fights usually resulted in the loss of innocent people’s lives. The most famous mobster of them all though was Al Capone. Al Capone ruled the area of organized crime. Capone practically ruled the city of chicago. Capone’s empire lasted over ten years and it wasn’t until 1930 when prohibition was repealed that Capone’s reign over Chicago started to fall. These gangs were an integral part of society during the roaring twenties even through all of their illegal action and fights. Without them we not be able to drink today as our government finally realized that their is no point in fighting the war against alcohol.