Bootlegging In Canada in the 1920s Prohibition and

Bootlegging In Canada in the 1920’s Prohibition and the Rum runners

Prohibition concerning religious groups • Religious groups made up mostly of women searching to assert themselves politically, formed a crusade against immoral practices including the consumption of liquor. • These groups spread across the country with the government searching out and stopping the Rum Runners.

Organized crime and mobsters • This time in the 20’s was known as the Golden Age of the Mob. The money earned from bootlegging was put forth the “pay roll” or the police. Making the Mob “invisible”.

Rumrunners • Without the rumrunners in the 20’s we may not have any liquor of any sort legally to this day.

Prohibition failure? • Gang wars caused by terrible disputes soon spread into the streets. The nation soon wondered if the prohibition act was working or if it was making things worse.

Scar Face

Speakeasy’s and fronts • Speakeasies came in a number of disguises like funeral homes with a secret entrance. . where everyone drank 100 proof "coffee". These disguises were known as fronts and often had big gorillas as doormen waiting behind a sliding panel to hear the password.

Capone • Capone saw to it that the press was friendly to him and never missed a chance to play up his donations to a charitable group. • Capone originated from Brooklyn and then relocated to Chicago's Little Italy.

The disposal of the liquor and the end of the rum runners.

Government • Politicians were regularly bought and sold and owned by the Mob. • Most politicians played ball with the Mob, as they were particularly wealthy, violent and powerful at this time. • They were not all crooked, but it was a good bet that the police and city officials were on someone's payroll.

Law Enforcement • Chicago PD was rife with corruption as 80% to 90% of all officers were someone's payroll. • Not all of Chicago PD was on the payroll, but those who weren’t were not liked by other officers.