Why was organized crime frowned upon during the 1920s and who were some of its main leaders?
In all reality organized crime was not frowned upon by the public at all. Many people had their loyalty in the bootleggers for them to get their alcoholic beverages. The bootleggers that you will read about in another section of this project were the main providers of the beloved "bravery juice" that most people would love to get their hands on.
As the prohibition began, so did the thriving era of American gangsters and European syndicates. Criminals such as Al Capone (see section below), Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger are some of the most well known criminals of the era. However, the most famous bootlegger was without question Capone. (note that Bonnie, Clyde and Dillinger were not bootleggers but robbers).
So you may ask "What is it that bootleggers were really doing that would harm Americans?"
Truly speaking they were not the ones doing the harm. The irresponsible Americans of this time who thought that the world was a large party were who hurt themselves. During this time era, however for the police officers the crime rates would increase extremely. Some of the things that would increase for the police would be:
It was organized crime and bootleggers (Bootleggers are the people who would traffic alcohol illegally through loopholes in the system.) who supplied the alcohol to the common people. In January of 1920 the American government banned the sale and supply of alcohol through the 18th ammendment, the government thought that this would curb crime and violence, prohibition did not achieve it’s goals. Which lead to more higher crime rates and excessive violence
Bootlegging would be shown in novels such as the Great Gatsby :)
“Who are you, anyhow?” broke out Tom. “You’re one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfshiem—that much I happen to know. I’ve made a little investigation into your affairs—and I’ll carry it further to-morrow.”
“You can suit yourself about that, old sport.” said Gatsby steadily.
“I found out what your ‘drug stores’ were.” He turned to us and spoke rapidly. “He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That’s one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far wrong.” (The Greeat Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald)
The 21st ammendment-
As the prohibition began, so did the thriving era of American gangsters and European syndicates. Criminals such as Al Capone (see section below), Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger are some of the most well known criminals of the era. However, the most famous bootlegger was without question Capone. (note that Bonnie, Clyde and Dillinger were not bootleggers but robbers).
So you may ask "What is it that bootleggers were really doing that would harm Americans?"
Truly speaking they were not the ones doing the harm. The irresponsible Americans of this time who thought that the world was a large party were who hurt themselves. During this time era, however for the police officers the crime rates would increase extremely. Some of the things that would increase for the police would be:
- Police funding: INCREASED $11.4 Million
- Arrests for Prohibition Las Violations: INCREASED 102+%
- Arrests for Drunkenness and Disorderly Conduct: INCREASED 41%
- Arrests of Drunken Drivers: INCREASED 81%
- Thefts and Burglaries: INCREASED 9%
- Homicides, Assault, and Battery: INCREASED 13%
- Number of Federal Convicts: INCREASED 561%
- Federal Prison Population: INCREASED 366%
- Total Federal Expenditures on Penal Institutions: INCREASED 1,000%
It was organized crime and bootleggers (Bootleggers are the people who would traffic alcohol illegally through loopholes in the system.) who supplied the alcohol to the common people. In January of 1920 the American government banned the sale and supply of alcohol through the 18th ammendment, the government thought that this would curb crime and violence, prohibition did not achieve it’s goals. Which lead to more higher crime rates and excessive violence
Bootlegging would be shown in novels such as the Great Gatsby :)
“Who are you, anyhow?” broke out Tom. “You’re one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfshiem—that much I happen to know. I’ve made a little investigation into your affairs—and I’ll carry it further to-morrow.”
“You can suit yourself about that, old sport.” said Gatsby steadily.
“I found out what your ‘drug stores’ were.” He turned to us and spoke rapidly. “He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That’s one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far wrong.” (The Greeat Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald)
The 21st ammendment-
- Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
- Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
- Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
What was the main contribution that Al Capone gave to the 1920s?
Al Capone
Born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York City, Al Capone grew up with his own notorieties that would set him apart from other gang leaders of the 1920s. Dropping out of school by the sixth grade and becoming involved with a gang made Capone have an early start on the career he would soon proceed with. The street gang that Capone had joined was headed by the leader Johnny Torrio and would also have Lucky Luciano, a man that would gain his own notoriety one day. In about 1920, Capone would join another mob by the invitation of Torrio. In Chicago he had become a very powerful and influential member of the Colosmial gang where he had begun his true business; illegal brewing, distilling and distribution of beer and liquor.
"When I sell liquor, it's called bootlegging; when my patrons serve it on Lake Shore Drive, it's called hospitality." (Al Capone)
In 1925, Capone would gain control of the Chicago mob after Torrio was wounded by an attempted assassination. Capone, by this time in his career, had become reputed for being a ruthless and fearsome leader in the Chicago gang scene.
The real investigation of Capone would begin after he did not show up to a federal grand jury on March 12, 1929 in response to a subpoena (a writ ordering a person to attend a court). His lawyers had filed for a postponement of his attendance on March 11, stating that he had been bed ridden in Miami after contracting bronchial pneumonia and could not attend the hearing in Chicago for health reasons. His appearance would then be set back for the 20th.
On March 20, 1929, Capone faced the grand jury in Chicago and completed his full testimony on the 27th. As he was leaving, he was arrested by agents for contempt of court which was penalty for a year in prison and a $1000 time. Instead of this he posted a $5000 bond and was released by the police.
On May 17, 1929, Al Capone and his bodyguard were arrested in Philadelphia for carrying concealed deadly weapons. Within 16 hours they had been sentenced to terms of one year each. Capone served his time and was released in nine months for good behavior on March 17, 1930. On May 17, 1929, Al Capone and his bodyguard were arrested in Philadelphia for carrying concealed deadly weapons. Capone served his time and in nine months for good behavior was released on March 17, 1930.
Capone was found guilty in federal court on the contempt of court charge and was sentenced to six months in Cook County Jail on February 28, 1931. His appeal on that charge would be later dismissed.
During all of the jury trials, the US Treasury had been looking into Capone on tax evasions. Several other gangsters and mob leaders would be brought up and found guilty on this charge. On June 16, 1931, Capone had pled guilty thinking that he could strike up a deal for only 2 year sentencing. This being highly false he was convicted on October 18, 1931 and on November 24, would be charged for 11 years at prison. He would later then be fined $50,000 and charged $7,692 for court costs. He would also be charged $215,000 plus interest due on his back taxes. Capone would then serve his sentence in Alcatraz.
He was released on November 16, 1939, after serving for 7 years, 6 months, 15 days and also paying back all of his dues. Capone would never return to the gang scene afterwards and died on January 25, 1947.
*Source*
Albany. "Organized Crime and Prohibition." Organized Crime and Prohibition. Albany Edu, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Albany. "The 21st Amendment." The 21st Amendment. Albany Edu, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Brittanica. "Bootlegging (American History)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. The Finer Times. "Organized Crime in the 1920's and Prohibition." The Finer Times: War, Crime and History Resource. The Finer Times, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.
FBI. "Al Capone." FBI. FBI, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott, and Matthew J. Bruccoli. The Great Gatsby. New York, NY: Scribner, 1996. Print
"When I sell liquor, it's called bootlegging; when my patrons serve it on Lake Shore Drive, it's called hospitality." (Al Capone)
In 1925, Capone would gain control of the Chicago mob after Torrio was wounded by an attempted assassination. Capone, by this time in his career, had become reputed for being a ruthless and fearsome leader in the Chicago gang scene.
The real investigation of Capone would begin after he did not show up to a federal grand jury on March 12, 1929 in response to a subpoena (a writ ordering a person to attend a court). His lawyers had filed for a postponement of his attendance on March 11, stating that he had been bed ridden in Miami after contracting bronchial pneumonia and could not attend the hearing in Chicago for health reasons. His appearance would then be set back for the 20th.
On March 20, 1929, Capone faced the grand jury in Chicago and completed his full testimony on the 27th. As he was leaving, he was arrested by agents for contempt of court which was penalty for a year in prison and a $1000 time. Instead of this he posted a $5000 bond and was released by the police.
On May 17, 1929, Al Capone and his bodyguard were arrested in Philadelphia for carrying concealed deadly weapons. Within 16 hours they had been sentenced to terms of one year each. Capone served his time and was released in nine months for good behavior on March 17, 1930. On May 17, 1929, Al Capone and his bodyguard were arrested in Philadelphia for carrying concealed deadly weapons. Capone served his time and in nine months for good behavior was released on March 17, 1930.
Capone was found guilty in federal court on the contempt of court charge and was sentenced to six months in Cook County Jail on February 28, 1931. His appeal on that charge would be later dismissed.
During all of the jury trials, the US Treasury had been looking into Capone on tax evasions. Several other gangsters and mob leaders would be brought up and found guilty on this charge. On June 16, 1931, Capone had pled guilty thinking that he could strike up a deal for only 2 year sentencing. This being highly false he was convicted on October 18, 1931 and on November 24, would be charged for 11 years at prison. He would later then be fined $50,000 and charged $7,692 for court costs. He would also be charged $215,000 plus interest due on his back taxes. Capone would then serve his sentence in Alcatraz.
He was released on November 16, 1939, after serving for 7 years, 6 months, 15 days and also paying back all of his dues. Capone would never return to the gang scene afterwards and died on January 25, 1947.
*Source*
Albany. "Organized Crime and Prohibition." Organized Crime and Prohibition. Albany Edu, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Albany. "The 21st Amendment." The 21st Amendment. Albany Edu, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Brittanica. "Bootlegging (American History)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. The Finer Times. "Organized Crime in the 1920's and Prohibition." The Finer Times: War, Crime and History Resource. The Finer Times, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.
FBI. "Al Capone." FBI. FBI, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott, and Matthew J. Bruccoli. The Great Gatsby. New York, NY: Scribner, 1996. Print