Prohibition Made the Mafia: The Untold Story of How America's Experiment with Alcohol Prohibition Created Organized Crime

In the early 20th century, the United States embarked on a grand social experiment: Prohibition. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1919, outlawed the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. Proponents of Prohibition argued that it would reduce crime, improve public health, and strengthen families. But in reality, Prohibition had the opposite effect, giving rise to a new era of organized crime and violence.

Before Prohibition, bootlegging—the illegal production and sale of alcohol—was a relatively small-scale operation. But with the passage of the 18th Amendment, bootlegging became a highly profitable enterprise. Criminal gangs quickly moved to fill the void left by the legal alcohol industry, and they soon established a vast network of speakeasies, underground distilleries, and smuggling operations.

Prohibition Made The Mafia: The Men - The Money - The Mob

by T. Warren Wyndham

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2000 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	451 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

One of the most notorious bootlegging gangs was the Chicago Outfit, led by Al Capone. Capone used violence and intimidation to control the city's alcohol trade, and he amassed a fortune that made him one of the richest criminals in history. Other prominent bootlegging gangs included the Purple Gang in Detroit, the Egan's Rats in St. Louis, and the Mafia in New York City.

Prohibition also led to a rise in violence. Bootlegging gangs often fought each other for control of territory, and they also targeted law enforcement officials who tried to crack down on their operations. In Chicago, for example, more than 500 people were murdered in gang-related violence during the Prohibition era.

In addition to the violence, Prohibition also led to widespread corruption. Police officers, judges, and politicians were often bribed by bootleggers to look the other way. This corruption made it difficult to enforce the law, and it also undermined public confidence in the government.

Prohibition was a disaster for the United States. It failed to reduce crime or improve public health, and it led to a rise in organized crime and violence. In 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and ending Prohibition. But the legacy of Prohibition lives on to this day, in the form of organized crime groups that continue to operate in cities across the country.

Key Figures in the Prohibition Era

• Al Capone: The most notorious bootlegger of the Prohibition era, Capone controlled the Chicago Outfit and amassed a fortune through violence and intimidation.
• George Remus: Known as the "King of the Bootleggers," Remus was a Cincinnati pharmacist who became one of the largest bootleggers in the country.
• Harry Daugherty: The Attorney General of the United States during the Harding administration, Daugherty was accused of taking bribes from bootleggers.
• Willa Beatrice Brown: A civil rights activist and social worker, Brown fought against the negative effects of Prohibition on African Americans.

Impact of Prohibition

• Rise of organized crime: Prohibition created a vast network of bootlegging gangs, which eventually evolved into organized crime groups.
• Violence: Bootlegging gangs often fought each other for control of territory, and they also targeted law enforcement officials.
• Corruption: Police officers, judges, and politicians were often bribed by bootleggers to look the other way.
• Decline in public health: Prohibition led to a decline in the quality of alcohol, as well as an increase in the consumption of dangerous substitutes.

Lessons from Prohibition

• The futility of Prohibition: Prohibition failed to reduce crime or improve public health, and it led to a rise in organized crime and violence.
• The importance of law enforcement: Prohibition demonstrated the importance of strong law enforcement in combating organized crime.
• The need for public education: Prohibition showed the need for public education about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

Prohibition was a failed experiment that had a lasting negative impact on the United States. It created organized crime, led to violence and corruption, and undermined public confidence in the government. The lessons of Prohibition are still relevant today, as we continue to struggle with the challenges of alcohol abuse and organized crime.

Prohibition Made The Mafia: The Men - The Money - The Mob

by T. Warren Wyndham

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2000 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	451 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE