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Temperance Movement
The temperance movement starts to advocate for the abolition of alcohol. Families had been torn apart due to the consumption of alcohol. Women and children were beaten and often times men never had much money to bring home because they would spend it all at the bars. It was hard for women because they couldn't do anything with out possibly affecting the kids. -
Proposition of the 18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment established the outlaw of alcohol. This means that it couldn't be sold, manufactured, or transported. Anyone caught with the alcohol would be charged with a federal crime. The amendment was proposed on August 1, 1917 -
18th Amendment is Ratified
The 18th Amendment was ratified on January 16, 1919, but wouldn't be put into effect until January 17, 1920.The Amendment was ratified by 46 of the 48 states. The only two states not to ratify it were Connecticut and Rhode Island. -
Volstead Act
In 1919, the Volstead Act was passed to enforce the 18th Amendment. Although vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson, his veto was overturned by Congress. -
Al Capone
Al Capone was one of the most notorious American gangsters of all time. He was born on January 17, 1899, and by 1925 he was considered the crime czar of Chicago. Al Capone had many bootleggers, and other gang members that did all his dirty work for him. He made alomst $60 million a year from his business.He was so wealthy he could bribe the cops so that he wouldn't be charged with a crime. Al Capone was later arrested on October 17, 1931. -
John D. Rockefeller's Speech
"When prohibition was introduced, I hoped that it would be widely supported by public opinion and the day would soon come when the evils effects of alcohol would be recognized. I have slowly and reluctantly come to believe that this has not been he result. Instead drinking has generally increased; the speakeasy has replaced the saloon; a vast army of lawbreakers has appeared; many of our best citizens have openly ignored prohibition; respect for the law has been greatly lessened." -
Proposition of the 21st Amendment
The 21st Amendment was proposed on February 20, 1933. The Amendment was proposed because the amount of crime and everything that was going on was too much. The Great Depression also played a role because of the revenue the alcohol would bring in. -
Cullen-Harrison Act
On March 23, 1933 Franklin Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison act legalizing the manufacture, sale, and distribution of certain alcohol. -
21st Amendment is Ratified
The 21st Amendment was ratified on December 5, 1933. Utah was the 36th state to ratify the amendment. Prohibition was officially over nationwide. Only some states had continued prohibition laws after 1933, but they were only locally. -
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
George Moran, another gangster on the north side of Chicago was a huge enemy of Al Capone. They had had their disputes, but after George had put out a $50,000 bounty for Al's head that's when he snapped. Al had his men dress in cop outfits, and went to the headquarters of Moran. Capone's men had Moran's men line up against that wall as if in a raid, and then they shot and killed them all. Moran wanted to get Al back but didn't because he died off after he lost control of his territory in Chicago
