dbq #1. 8-9 points.
Prohibition caused a major rise in crime in all regions of the United States, also not only did prohibition raise the reports of crime, it increased the severity of the crimes committed. During the era of prohibition many people from common citizens to the newly created gangster class were breaking the 18th amendment and the Volstead Act which marked the beginning of the prohibition era. There were three key components to the evolution of crime from prohibition the change that common people made in society, and the change that criminal gangs made to organized criminal groups, and the change of the violent nature of the criminals.
Of the major social changes that were undertaken during the prohibition era possibly the most influential of the changes is the change that the common man made to a more relaxed following of the law. An article published by the literary digest for June 24, 1922 (Doc I) in the article it states “When you drink bootleg the chances are better than nine out of ten that you are drinking rank poison.” this shows the style and culture of lower level brewers that were creating “bathtub gin”. Soon after the beginning of national prohibition many common citizens were reconsidering their obedience to the law as demonstrated by man known only as “Callano” to unknown reporter 1930 (Doc L) “I wasn't cut out to work steady. That was during Prohibition and all the boys was running booze. My brothers, the older ones, had a gang bootlegging. They had a bunch of big old Packards and Caddies. I went in with 'em and we made plenty dough.” this exemplifying the evolution of society. Than the most simplistic of the prohibition violations were the citizens who just continued to drink despite the laws. As quoted by Al Capone the notorious gangster (Doc V) “When I sell liquor, it's called bootlegging; when my patrons serve it on Lake Shore Drive, its called hospitality.” The simply ignoring of the amendment by common citizens possible was the most substantial change in our society as a whole.
Furthermore, the change that criminal gangs made to organized criminal syndicates, they began strategizing their operation to optimize their profits through smuggling alcohol. The criminal organization began moving the liquor in innovative ways. L.L. Lynn (special employee) to Mrs. K. Beck on February 20th, 1928 (Doc F). It states “On the 11th day of February, 1928, deputy Sheriff of Josephine County arrested these parties on the highway... They had a bed roll on the side of the car in which five gallon tins of alcohol were wrapped the total quantity of alcohol in the car was seventy-five gallons.” the gangs were now forming organization to which they could sell their liquor. The New York Times, article Gangsters turn to Bootlegging on October 30, 1921 (Doc P), “the gangster has found in bootlegging a safer and more profitable means of livelihood than robbing and shooting down citizens. Not only gangsters but other underworld denizens, cadets and petty thieves have taken to bootlegging.” this newspaper article exemplifies the social effect of when alcohol was prohibited it created a demand which could not be satisfied legally, criminal syndicates were more than eager to satisfy this new demand.in a quote by Felix. graf van Luckner, a visitor to America during Prohibition (Doc M), "Prohibition has created a new, universally respected, a well-beloved, and a very profitable occupation, that of the bootlegger who takes care of the importation of the forbidden liquor. Everyone knows this, even the powers of the government.” A visitor to the United States realized that the criminal organization were in no imminent danger from the law enforcement.
Finally, the third way that crime evolved during prohibition is the change in the nature by which the criminals operated. During prohibition criminals became more open in the style to which they handled violence. A quote from a Chicago Tribune article circa 1929 (Doc W), "These murders went out of the comprehension of a civilized city...The butchering of seven men by open daylight raises this question for Chicago: Is it helpless?" the new criminals of the era were accepting of public violence for their own purpose. Not only was there the rise in aggression there was also a substantial rise in frequency of crime. The New York Times, article Drink and Crime on January 8, 1920 (Doc O), “In Chicago a bare six months of prohibition has raised the total of crime, figured for the entire year, more than 25 per cent. The reason given by the Crimes Commission is illuminating. In Chicago crime. “is not due to poverty or hard times. Crime is a business here.” the Crime rate exploded in Chicago immediately after the passage of the 18th amendment without hesitation Gangs began operating in the new dry climate of the United States. As Rev. John Cole Mckim wrote “Prohibition and Christianity” Published in The North American Review 1918 (Doc J), “Thus Congressman Keating, replying to the statement that prohibition fails to prohibit, is reported as saying that one might as well repeal the laws against stealing and murder because these laws do not absolutely prevent the crimes they prohibit.” this shows the open disobedience toward the laws in regard to prohibition statewide and national.
In conclusion, prohibition of alcohol caused multiple social changes to American society that lasted long after the end of national prohibition in 1933. The three key components to the evolution of crime from prohibition, the change that common people made in society, and the change that criminal gangs made to organized criminal groups, and the change of the nature of the criminals operations.
Of the major social changes that were undertaken during the prohibition era possibly the most influential of the changes is the change that the common man made to a more relaxed following of the law. An article published by the literary digest for June 24, 1922 (Doc I) in the article it states “When you drink bootleg the chances are better than nine out of ten that you are drinking rank poison.” this shows the style and culture of lower level brewers that were creating “bathtub gin”. Soon after the beginning of national prohibition many common citizens were reconsidering their obedience to the law as demonstrated by man known only as “Callano” to unknown reporter 1930 (Doc L) “I wasn't cut out to work steady. That was during Prohibition and all the boys was running booze. My brothers, the older ones, had a gang bootlegging. They had a bunch of big old Packards and Caddies. I went in with 'em and we made plenty dough.” this exemplifying the evolution of society. Than the most simplistic of the prohibition violations were the citizens who just continued to drink despite the laws. As quoted by Al Capone the notorious gangster (Doc V) “When I sell liquor, it's called bootlegging; when my patrons serve it on Lake Shore Drive, its called hospitality.” The simply ignoring of the amendment by common citizens possible was the most substantial change in our society as a whole.
Furthermore, the change that criminal gangs made to organized criminal syndicates, they began strategizing their operation to optimize their profits through smuggling alcohol. The criminal organization began moving the liquor in innovative ways. L.L. Lynn (special employee) to Mrs. K. Beck on February 20th, 1928 (Doc F). It states “On the 11th day of February, 1928, deputy Sheriff of Josephine County arrested these parties on the highway... They had a bed roll on the side of the car in which five gallon tins of alcohol were wrapped the total quantity of alcohol in the car was seventy-five gallons.” the gangs were now forming organization to which they could sell their liquor. The New York Times, article Gangsters turn to Bootlegging on October 30, 1921 (Doc P), “the gangster has found in bootlegging a safer and more profitable means of livelihood than robbing and shooting down citizens. Not only gangsters but other underworld denizens, cadets and petty thieves have taken to bootlegging.” this newspaper article exemplifies the social effect of when alcohol was prohibited it created a demand which could not be satisfied legally, criminal syndicates were more than eager to satisfy this new demand.in a quote by Felix. graf van Luckner, a visitor to America during Prohibition (Doc M), "Prohibition has created a new, universally respected, a well-beloved, and a very profitable occupation, that of the bootlegger who takes care of the importation of the forbidden liquor. Everyone knows this, even the powers of the government.” A visitor to the United States realized that the criminal organization were in no imminent danger from the law enforcement.
Finally, the third way that crime evolved during prohibition is the change in the nature by which the criminals operated. During prohibition criminals became more open in the style to which they handled violence. A quote from a Chicago Tribune article circa 1929 (Doc W), "These murders went out of the comprehension of a civilized city...The butchering of seven men by open daylight raises this question for Chicago: Is it helpless?" the new criminals of the era were accepting of public violence for their own purpose. Not only was there the rise in aggression there was also a substantial rise in frequency of crime. The New York Times, article Drink and Crime on January 8, 1920 (Doc O), “In Chicago a bare six months of prohibition has raised the total of crime, figured for the entire year, more than 25 per cent. The reason given by the Crimes Commission is illuminating. In Chicago crime. “is not due to poverty or hard times. Crime is a business here.” the Crime rate exploded in Chicago immediately after the passage of the 18th amendment without hesitation Gangs began operating in the new dry climate of the United States. As Rev. John Cole Mckim wrote “Prohibition and Christianity” Published in The North American Review 1918 (Doc J), “Thus Congressman Keating, replying to the statement that prohibition fails to prohibit, is reported as saying that one might as well repeal the laws against stealing and murder because these laws do not absolutely prevent the crimes they prohibit.” this shows the open disobedience toward the laws in regard to prohibition statewide and national.
In conclusion, prohibition of alcohol caused multiple social changes to American society that lasted long after the end of national prohibition in 1933. The three key components to the evolution of crime from prohibition, the change that common people made in society, and the change that criminal gangs made to organized criminal groups, and the change of the nature of the criminals operations.
Analysis:
8: The intro is smooth and has a catcher that lead to the thesis statement and does this very nicely. the thesis statement is correctly position in the intro paragraph and contains the three points which are used in the three body paragraphs.
the body paragraphs have adequate documentary support but is mildly lacking in the outside information listing. all information is used correctly has few incorrect statements of historical reference.
the essay uses 9 of the 12 available document three in each body paragraph the authors has properly dispersed the information into the three paragraphs.
the wording is smooth with transition attached to every paragraph and has a catcher in the beginning and a conclusion in the last paragraph. overall a very nice essay.
The author allows for a clear progression of thoughts and proof, making for an intelligent essay.
the body paragraphs have adequate documentary support but is mildly lacking in the outside information listing. all information is used correctly has few incorrect statements of historical reference.
the essay uses 9 of the 12 available document three in each body paragraph the authors has properly dispersed the information into the three paragraphs.
the wording is smooth with transition attached to every paragraph and has a catcher in the beginning and a conclusion in the last paragraph. overall a very nice essay.
The author allows for a clear progression of thoughts and proof, making for an intelligent essay.