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WHY DID PROHIBITION FAIL ? (Corruption (Had effect on (Government…
WHY DID PROHIBITION FAIL ?
Lack of Public Support
Government officials did not obey the amendment
Many were "wets"
It was known that President Harding was drinking and sharing alcohol at the White House
Associated to crime
Seen as the cause of the violent crime wave.
The Association Against the Prohibition Amendment blamed it for the ills of society
People disapproved the amendment
Drinking was a social want
People liked drinking
In the north it was seen as a way of interfering with their freedom.
People were campaigning
Smart society women organised a campaign to end Prohibition
Anti-prohibition parades were held
Profits
Large sum of money was made
People were willing to risk imprisonment
$2 billion a year from selling alcohol
Alcohol was supplied in large scales
Gansgters (business owners) became very powerful
Authorities were bribed
Other crimes were more likely
No consequences nor punishments
Problems of Enforcement
Few prohibition agents
200,000 square miles per agent
Not enough people to stop gangster businesses
Agents were badly beaten up or murdered
Bribes
Agents accepted bribes
Judges, local and state governemnt oficials were willing to receive bribes
One in twelve agents were dismissed
Agents were poorly paid
Organised Crime
The power and control of criminal gangs increased
Gangs fought to see who supplied for the speakeasy
Criminal activity increased
Murders
130 deaths in Chicago
Hijacking supply of alcohol
Felonies involving
Government
Business
Trade Union
Big Business
Alcohol became more expensive to get
Gangsters who sold booze got high profits
2 billion a year
Rich paid more money to have their liquor delivered
Speakeasy (bars behind closed doors, hidden bars) business industry grew massively
Example '21 club'
By 1925, there were 15,000 in Detroit
By 1929, there were 32,000 in New York City
Corruption
Bribes
As soon as government officials accepted agents, they were committed to gangsters
Introduced to American society
Protection Rackets
Prostitution
No interference from court or police
Gave businesses protection outside the law
Violent group of people
Had effect on
Prohibition agents
Judges
Government officials
President Hardings advisement was involved
George Remus 'King of Bootleggers' paid them for protection of prosecution
Police
Bribed for blind eye
