Prohibition and Organised Crime Flashcards

What was Prohibition?

A nationwide ban on making, selling, and transporting alcohol in the USA from 1920 to 1933.

Which amendment introduced Prohibition, and when did it begin?

The 18th Amendment. It began in January 1920.

What did the Volstead Act do?

It enforced Prohibition. It made drinks over 0.5% alcohol illegal and set punishments.

Name two reasons why Prohibition was introduced.

Strong temperance campaigns and a wish to save grain during the First World War.

What is a speakeasy?

A secret bar that sold alcohol illegally during Prohibition.

What is bootlegging?

Making, smuggling, or selling alcohol illegally, often from Canada or the Caribbean.

How did Prohibition help organised crime grow?

Gangs sold illegal alcohol, made big profits, and used violence and bribery to control areas.

Who was Al Capone?

A Chicago gang leader who ran bootlegging and bribery. He was jailed for tax evasion in 1931.

What was the St Valentine’s Day Massacre (1929)?

A gang attack in Chicago where seven men were shot dead, shocking the public.

Why was Prohibition hard to enforce?

Agents were few and underpaid. The USA had long borders. Many police and politicians took bribes.

Who were the Untouchables?

A team led by Eliot Ness that targeted Capone. They refused bribes and gathered evidence.

How did Prohibition end?

In 1933 the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment and ended the ban.

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