Prohibition and Organised Crime

Prohibition was meant to Improve Morality

• Temperance groups campaigned for Prohibition

• Rural vs. urban divide in support

• 18th Amendment passed in 1919

Prohibition led to a rise in Organised Crime

• Enforcing Prohibition was impossible

• Rise of moonshiners, rum-runners, bootleggers, and speakeasies

• Gangs like Al Capone's fought for control

Opposition to Prohibition Increased in 1929

• Strong opposition in urban areas

• Negative impact on the economy

• Criminals profited from Prohibition

Unexpected Consequences of Prohibition

• Drinking decreased but did not stop

• Organised crime increased

• Public health issues due to poor quality alcohol

Repeal of Prohibition

• Roosevelt promised to repeal in 1932

• 18th Amendment withdrawn in December 1933

Conclusion

• Prohibition failed to achieve its aims

• Revealed and increased divides in American society

• Negative consequences outweighed the benefits