Prohibition and Bootlegging In Canada in the 1920s

Prohibition and Bootlegging In Canada in the 1920’s

Prohibition • The Temperance Movement arose in the early 20 th century and it was a collection of women and religious groups. • These groups pressured the government to ban the production, consumption, distribution, and sale of liquors (including wine and beer). • They believed that it was immoral and evil to drink alcohol, especially during the war (the grain used to make alcohol, could be used to feed the troops overseas) • These groups spread across the country with the government searching out and stopping the Rum Runners. • By 1917, all provinces (except Quebec) adopted prohibition.

Prohibition The Pros • • Crime rate dropped Child and wife abuse decreased Workers no longer spent their paycheques at the bar Higher productivity in the workplace

Prohibition The Cons • • • Gangsters made a fortune smuggling liquor Provincial governments lost millions of dollars in potential taxes on alcohol Enforcement was extremely difficult – people could easily acquire alcohol People could consume alcohol for ‘medical’ purposes with a prescription Prohibition laws were largely ignored by the middle class

Prohibition terms • Speakeasies and blind pigs – secret and private clubs that served alcohol • Bootleggers – people who made home-made alcohol for sale and consumption • Rum Runners – Canadians who smuggled alcohol across the border to the US. (eg. , Hiram Walker – Canadian Club Whisky) • Rum Alley – Windsor / Detroit area • Moonshine – illegal liquor

Scar Face