Prohibition –Enforcement and Effects

Why so difficult to enforce?1.) The US is BIG

-18,700 miles of coastline/border-Legal in neighboring nations

2.) Loop holes- “Medical” alcohol - “Sacramental” alcohol- “Near” Beer

This fascinating back-label for Lengfeld's Pharmacy in San Francisco has the doctor's name, the patient's name and address and the "article" is described as "wine." In the line

for "Directions" it's written: "Wineglass as needed."

3.) Alcohol, key part of the immigrant culture-Italian-German-Irish

4.) Underfunding-Only 3000 agents

-Agents salary was $2,500-Led to bribes/mass corruption/organized crime

Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith

-Famous prohibition agents

Elliot Ness-FBI agent

-Chicago- “The Untouchables”

The Effects1.)Bootlegging - making and smuggling alcohol

2.)Speakeasies = secret bars

3.) Organized crime and corruption

-Large profits attract gangsters-Violence as gangs compete

- Bribed police, judges and politicians

St. Valentines Day Massacre 1929

Al “Scarface” Capone

• Chicago• By 1927 earning $60

million a year from bootlegging.

• Responsible for over 500 murders

Repeal

21st Amendment• Repealed prohibition

• Dec. 1932

‘Today looks like a good day for a beer.’-President Franklin D. Roosevelt

This restaurant and pub is located near the Boston

Common.