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Women Complain About Alcohol
In the early 1900s, women started speaking about their belief that alcohol was a threat. This would start a nationwide debate about whether or not alcohol should be banned.
Source: (visual) "Volstead Act." independent.org. N.p., 1998. Web. 2 June 2015. http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?a=347. -
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The Mafia and the Prohibition
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18th Amendment Ratified
This is what offically started the Prohibition. The 18th Amendment banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States. However, this never did ban the consumption of alcohol.
Source: (visual) "Prohibition of Liquor." constitutioncenter.org. N.p., 1998. Web. 2 June 2015. http://constitutioncenter.org/constitution/the-amendments/amendment-18-liquor-abolished. -
Volstead Act Passed
The Volstead Act was made after the 18th amendment in order to define what "intoxicating liquors" were and also to provide penalties. The bill was vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson, but was later overridden by the House.
Source: (visual) "Volstead Act." Wikipedia. N.p., 23 Mar. 2015. Web. 2 June 2015. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volstead_Act. -
Al Capone Comes Into Power
By 1922, famous gangster Al Capone had started to come into power. He was his boss's go-to man, and would soon be in charge. Capone would soon go on to be one of the largest alcohol distributors of this time, using violence and bribing to keep safe from the law.
Source: (visual) "History Files- Al Capone." www.chicagohs.org. N.p., 1999. Web. 2 June 2015. https://www.chicagohs.org/history/capone.html. -
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
Perhaps the most violent event during the Prohibition was the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. On February 14, 1929, four of Capone's men entered the workplace of a rival gang and killed six of their members using machine guns. More than 150 bullets were unloaded on these men, who were easy targets, as they were standing against a wall.
Source: History Files. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2015. https://www.chicagohs.org/history/capone/cpn2.html. (visual) -
Start of the Great Depression
The Great Depression would start in 1929 because of a stock market crash. Howver, the U.S. economy was already hurting from the Prohibition. The nationwide ban prevented the government from making any money from selling alcohol. In addition, millions of dollars were spent enforcing this law.
Source: (mixed media)
National Ban of Alcohol. watchmojo.com. Web. 1 June 2015.
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Al Capone Arrested
Of all the things Al Capone was guilty of, he was arrested for tax evasion. Capone was sentenced to eleven years in prison, and while in jail the Prohibition would end. He was released after seven years and had paid off all fines and taxes. On January 25th, 1947, Capone died due to a stroke and pneumonia.
Source: (visual)
"Al Capone." fbi.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2015. http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/famous-cases/al-capone
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Cullen-Harrison Act Passed
The Cullen-Harrison Act allowed people to buy and drink beer and wine that had a low-alcohol content. This was a big step to ending the prohibition. Months later, the 21st Amendment would be passed, legalizing all alcohol again.
Source: (visual) Constitutional Daily. Ed. NCC Staff. N.p., 7 Mar. 2015. Web. 2 June 2015. http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2015/04/the-constitutional-origins-of-national-beer-day/. -
Prohibition Ends
In 1933, the 21st atmendment was ratified, which would repeal the ban on alcohol. It was once again legal to maufacture and sell alcoholic goods. This eighteenth amendment was the first amendment to ever be appealed. Crime rates would soon drop down to normal, and the presence of mobs and mafias began to disappear.
Source: (audio) 1933: End of US Alcohol Prohibition. The Court. Web. 2 June 2015.
Source: Prohibition. history.com. Web. 1 June 2015. (audio) -
Mafia Still Remembered Today (tactile)
The Mafia is still remembered today. This was one of the most violent and unfortunate times in the history of the United States. Today, there are movies and places that help explain what went down during this time. One place that is dediated to teaching others about the Mafia and the Prohibition is a mob museum in Las Vegas. Visitors experience hands-on what organized crime was like.
Source: Steinhauer, Jennifer. "Vegas Mob Museums, Set to Go to the Mattresses." New York Times 25 Apr. 2010. W
