Organized Crime In The 1920s

During the late 1800s and early 1900s immigration to a new better world, the United States Of America was in full swing. With all the immigration from so many different countries brought much diversity to America but it also brought a new type of crime, Organized Crime. This was due to a part that the Italian Sicilian Mafia was under attack from Mussolini regime but also the creation of the 18th amendment banning the sales, manufacturing, or transportation of any alcoholic beverage.

When one thinks of the FBI, an image of utmost intelligence and professionalism comes to mind, however it was not always this way. Preceding the intricate and expert agency that takes care of national crimes and issues today, there was J. Edgar Hoover and his group of ragtag investigators. In the 1930’s, the FBI was just being founded, rising on the back of the growing organized crime that was taking place all throughout America. Bryan Burrough, author and journalist, takes his readers through this era, describing how organized crime ultimately led to the establishment of the FBI, because to cope with criminal masterminds committing atrocities all throughout America, there needs to be an organized and rational force working to stop them. Bryan

The prohibition caused much controversy in the 1920’s. The 18th amendment was passed on Jan 16, 1920, it said in Title II, Section 3 the National Prohibition Act states that "No person shall on or after the date when the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States goes into effect, manufacture, sell, barter, transport, import, export, deliver, furnish or possess any intoxicating liquor except as authorized in this act." (United States constitution). The Prohibition opened up many big business opportunities in the illegal marketing of alcohol. The people who took advantage of this opportunity were known as “Bootleggers”. With the enactment of this law organized crime was established, allowing men such as Al Capone to capitalize

The huge public demand for alcohol led to a soaring business for bootleggers. When prohibition began, people immediately wanted a way to drink. Hence, the extremely profitable bootlegging business was born. Before Prohibition gangs existed, but had little influence. Now, they had gained tremendous power almost overnight. Bootlegging was easy - New York City gangs paid hundreds of poor immigrants to maintain stills in their apartments. Common citizens, once law abiding, now became criminals by making their own alcohol. However, this posed risks for those who made their own. "The

CRIMES IN CHICAGO 1920 - 1940 Chicago during the 1920’s to 1940’s experienced many organized crimes due to growth of population resulting to weakening Chicago’s government with the growth of Chicago. Also, this time Chicago were experiencing the Great Depression and the “Roaring Twenties”. Many immigrants and other people that were from other states migrated to Chicago to find better job opportunities that would raise their lives. Organized crimes were increasing rapidly because many young children were exposed to crimes. Childhood gangs were created such as Stud Lonigan, Stud Lonigan were the first gang that transform to a “school ground” gang to a professional gang.

When the 18th Amendment, calling for the banning of consumption, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, was put in effect in January of 1920, Americans, mostly in the upper class, were outraged. Because of this new law, Americans were eager to find alcohol and drink it in the privacy of their own homes via alcohol smugglers. These smugglers became known as bootleggers and commonly transferred the now illegal beer and whiskey into America from outside countries such as Canada. And as time went on, the bootleggers became crime bosses and Gangland, a community of dangerous clusters of bootleggers, was formed. Money was, to a medium extent, the main influence on alcohol smugglers in America during the Prohibition era between 1920 and

“Mafia” was originally the name of an association of Sicilians who collaborated for protection and vigilante law enforcement during the Spanish occupation of the island.” (Nash Para 12). The prohibition of alcohol caused the fear of crime within the nation. Especially the large cities, such as New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. The eighteenth amendment was written prohibiting all uses of alcohol.

The 1920s are often associated with the exciting party life and the good times that the people had, but rarely pay attention to the perils of the 20s. The people in the 20s who were thriving and having the time of their lives, and that was what was mainly showed to the people and the media. For example, like in the novel The Great Gatsby, life in the 20s was portrayed as glamorous and exciting. There were definitely bad things that happened in this time that have been blocked out of the public eye. The 1920s was a time of advancement for the US, but it was also a time of struggle and conflict for the people.

The 1920’s is a period known for being filled with all types of big changes in American culture and economy. A huge change was prohibition and organized crime. Prohibition is what started out as a law to end transportation and sales of alcohol, but then led to some of the largest crimes in America that took place nation-wide. The main factors of these crimes were the American Mafia and prohibition, the Volstead Act and the Amendment, as well as the effect this had on Americans.

As a result of this new law, a new social problem arose. “Seldom has law been more flagrantly violated. Not only did Americans continue to manufacture, barter, and possess alcohol; they drank more of it.” Americans who supported prohibition, argued that if drinking alcohol was illegal, the public would recognize and respect the law, and in turn, would give it up. During the start of prohibition, it appeared as though it was working. But, what was really going on, was that since the transportation and production was not allowed, bootleggers had to find ways to do it without being caught. The price of beer rose, because it had to be transported in large barrels, which was more difficult. As a result, people started drinking more potent hard liquor. It took less to get drunk, therefore it was easier to transport, thus, it was cheaper. Americans would drink this potent liquor and get drunk a lot faster, for less money. As a downfall, however, the liquor had no standards. The rate of alcohol related deaths due to poisoning drastically increased from 1,064 in 1920, to 4,154 in 1925.

The Italian mafia became prevalent in America during the early 1900’s. A major aspect behind the steady growth of the Italian Mafia in the early 1900’s was the temperance Act passed in 1918, which made the sale of alcohol illegal. The members of the mafia took advantage of alcohol’s loved and addictive nature by selling it on the black market. Selling alcohol is what created the foundation of the mafia’s income and established it financially to expand on its internal and external empire. Its important to note that the Italian Mafia formed before 1918 in Sicily where the members of the mafia are known as Mafioso, which roughly translates to brave men.

During the late 19th century and early 20th century, America was having a lot of immigrants coming from Europe and Asia, waves of Italians were going to America for a chance to live a better life. Most of the immigrants were law-abiding, but, some criminals were a part of the immigrant's migration to America. These criminals formed neighborhood gangs, often living off from their own communities. This lead to one of most well-known groups of Organized Crime “The Italian-American Mafia”. The word Mafia tends to mean “manly.”

1900 A rise in crime levels as gangs grow stronger. Monk Eastman's Gang starts to pose a real threat to Paul Kelly's Five Points Gang.

Organized crime has been around for many years. Since the first definition was written organized crime has grown into multiple different meanings. According to the text, Introduction to Criminology, organized crime refers to “organizations that use violence, provide illegal services, and have immunity of operation.” (Hagan) Organized crime is also used throughout the world within gangs and secret organizations. There are multiple types and definitions of organized crime. The basic four types are; Political-Social, Mercenary (Predatory), In-Group-Oriented, and Syndicate Organized Crime. When it comes to actually finding the meaning of organized crime, it can be difficult depending on which definition one

The organized crime legal definition is defined as a widespread group of professional criminals, who rely on illegal activities as a way of life and whose activities are coordinated and controlled