Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime - 4837 Words

Prohibition and the Rise of Organized Crime Peter H. Mitchell Neumann University Thesis: Although prohibitions 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†¦show more content†¦The Congress and the several states shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the constitution by the legislatures of the several states, as provided in the Constitution by the legislatures of the several states, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the congress (18th Amendment, Prohibition). While it was illegal to manufacture or distribute beer, wine, or other intoxicating malt or vinous liquors it was not illegal to possess it for medicinal or sacramental use. The provision allowed Americans to possess alcohol in their homes and partake with family and guests as long as it stayed inside and was not distributed, traded or even given away to anyone outside the home. Another interesting provision to prohibition was that alcohol was available via a physician’s prescription. For centuries liquor had been used for medicinal purposes, in fact many of the liquors we know today were first de veloped as miracle cures for various ailments. Liquor and wine licensed for â€Å"medicinal purposes† often wound up in the hands and stomachs of healthy citizens. Because of this established belief that liquor could cure and prevent a variety of ailments, doctors were still able to prescribe liquor to patients on a specially designed government prescription form that could beShow MoreRelatedAmeric The Rise Of Organized Crime873 Words   |  4 PagesProfessor Wilson Writing Composition 2 3/21/16 America: The Rise of Organized Crime The United States of America is no stranger to corruption and extortion. Gang violence, the mafia, murder for pay and the marijuana industry in un-legalized states are a few examples of organized crime that happen in current day America. There are many different forms and types of organized crime today but where did they arise from? The rise and growth of organized crime in America can be attributed to government interventionRead MoreThe Alcohol Prohibition in the United Sates1849 Words   |  7 Pageseffect. The 18th amendment was the prohibition of any intoxicating liquor. Many celebrated what they called the death of John Barleycorn, a fictional character representing alcohol. The future looked bright for America now that alcohol would not be there to destroy families. The outcome proved otherwise as it was unsuccessful and had a negative impact on society. To what extent did prohibition hurt society? There is much evidence that supports that prohibition was repression that led to rebellionRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1506 Words   |  7 PagesPeople of the 1920s used Prohibition to get ahead in society by selling alcohol illegally. F. Scott Fitzgerald, wrote, The Great Gatsby, which takes place in Long Island, near New York City, during the 1920s. In the novel, the main character, Jay Gatsby, is a successful man who has participated in shady businesses to get what he wants. In, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald portrays the corruption of American society using Prohibition and how it brought about the rise of organized crime in the 1920s. FirstRead MoreAl Capone : The Ruthless Gangster1222 Words   |  5 Pagesin the United States due to his involvement in violence due to the illegalization of the distribution and consumption of alcohol, the Prohibition Act. Most of Capone’s profits came from his disobedience to the act which was successful due to the few tactics he utilized. Throughout the 1920s, Capone was known for being a successful criminal and almost made Prohibition nonexistent. Capone is credited for most of the illegal distribution of alcohol by using violence to threaten opposing gangs. Al CaponeRead MoreIdentification And Evaluation Of Sources1315 Words   |  6 Pageswill explore the question: What were the causes that lead to Prohibition s failure in the United States? This investigation will follow the years 1893 through 1933 to analyze the reasons for Prohibition s failure as well as a shift away from Prohibition. The Prohibition era in the United States is most notably remembered for its inability to sober up the nation. According to Mark Thornton, a historian from Cato Institute, prohibition had some initial success but ultimately led to an increaseRead MoreProhibition Of The United States777 Words   |  4 PagesResponse Prohibition in the United States occurred as a result of the Eighteenth Amendment, which was passed on January 17th, 1920. Prohibitions lasted approximately 13 years and ended with the ratifications of the Twenty-First Amendment which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment on December 5th, 1933. Prohibitions did not yield any benefits for the average American, in fact I believe it hindered both men and women in economic, political and social ways. The main proponents of Prohibition were womenRead MoreOrganized Crime During the Roaring Twenties678 Words   |  3 PagesOrganized Crime During the Roaring Twenties The 1920s, or the Roaring Twenties as this epoch is often referred to as, was a major turning point in America history. During this time period many American citizens believed and even acted out of hedonism. This mindset of the general population and along with other dilemmas led to a stunning and rapid increase in the amount of organized crime. The sudden uproar of organized crime during the 1920s was caused mainly by prohibition that gave rise to manyRead MoreProhibition And Prohibition Of Alcohol1007 Words   |  5 Pagesspeakeasies, organized crime, and corrupt government officials. This was largely to blame for the Eighteenth Amendment and prohibition of alcohol. The Eighteenth Amendment had made the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol illegal. By illegalizing alcohol, the Eighteenth Amendment attempted to decrease domestic violence, increase productivity in the workplace, and diminish poverty and health problems associated with the consumption of alcohol. Instead it created organized crime, disrespectRead MoreProhibition And Its Effect On America906 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1920 prohibition started in the United States, this was a legal act that outlawed the manufacturing, transport and sale of alcohol. Though this law only lasted till 1933 it had an extremely large impact on America while it was still in place. It is important for the people of America today to learn about prohibition in order to prevent causing the problems that prohibition created then in today’s society. While the intention of the ban of alcohol was meant to be a good thing it did not turn outRead MoreThe Ineffectiveness of Prohibition1312 Words   |  5 Pages Prohibition was a law that was passed to stop the production, sale, transportation, and exportation of alcoholic beverages. This began when the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution went into effect on January 16, 1920. People tried to control how much alcohol was consumed in the United States in the late 1700’s. Organizations and groups tried to get people to drink in moderation rather than stop drinking all together. The Protestants were the main group that tried this. They were