Gangsterism in the 1920s

“The Roaring Twenties,”; what a perfect aphorism. It was certainly roaring with music and dance, but it also was roaring with gangsters. In the aspect of gangsterism, the thirties were also roaring. Americans in this time period tolerated criminals, especially those involved in bootlegging. Bootlegging is the smuggling of illegal substances. Bootlegging could have possibly been tolerated because of the recent outlaw of alcohol during this time period, known as the Prohibition. Gangsters were involved in bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, organized crime, and racketeering. Al “Scarface “ Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger were the headliners of this era. Gangsterism provided a risky job but maximum rewards in a time when jobs were scarce and our country was in the midst of a depression.

When Congress passed the eighteenth amendment, alcohol was banned in every way from America. People who were addicted to alcohol and even those who were accustomed to the casual drink still had a demand for it. Many would pay top dollar for a drink, they didn’t think obtaining alcohol would be too immoral because it was legal just a few years back. Citizens would hold private socials and would serve alcohol to all of the guests, this

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Other criminals took advantage of corrupt law enforcement and went on sprees of killing and looting. These gangsters began to open speakeasies, which were like old west taverns with prostitution, gambling, and of course, drinking. Prohibition ceased after 1933 with the passing of the twenty-first amendment, which legalized alcoholic beverages. Gangsters moved up in the ranks and began more vicious crimes such as murder and massive theft.

In 1929, gangsters from across the country gathered in Atlantic City, New Jersey to meet with one another.

Gangsterism was a powerful part of the twenties and thirties. It meant monopoly on liquor, which meant opportunity for money. When Capone was apprehended, he said, chuckling, “All I ever did was supply a demand,”

. Anyone who broke these rules were, again, dealt with…very harshly. They disarmed Moran’s men and then sprayed many rounds in to their bodies, ending Moran’s career as a gangster.

One of the most famous crime bosses ever was Al Capone. was usually done by the wealthy because of the high cost of alcohol. Capone served eleven years in prison and left wrecked by syphilis. Bonnie and Clyde are two famous sidekicks who drove over the country committing murder after murder and robbery after robbery.

Approximate Word count = 1081
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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