When alcohol was banned, many people had problems giving up drinking. The demand for illegal alcohol created "speakeasies," or secret saloons. There was such a demand that millions of speakeasies emerged across the country. Since the desire for alcoho l stretched across all social classes from the unemployed to state governors, enforcement of the anti-alcohol law was not always consistent.

As more and more speakeasies emerged, smugglers were needed to bring alcohol into the country. This created a business for ruthless gangsterswho would stop at nothing to make a profit. Al Capone controlled the supply and distribution of alcohol in Chicago like it was a business. By 1927, his organization had made $60 million through illegal alcohol sales. Many gangsters wanted to be involved and take home a part of the profits. Gangs fought for rights to sell alcohol in certain neighborhoods, and m any people were killed. The anti-alcohol law's intent to cut back on crime did not work out as the people had hoped.

Name_______________________________

Directions: Fill in the blanks in the crime cycle, then answer the questions below.

7. Crime thrived in the streets 1. Alcohol was banned to create an alcohol-free nation and cut down on crime. 6. Gangs fought over ___________________ ___________________ 2. Many people would not give up drinking, which created a demand for _____________. 5. A lot of money was involved in the illegal alcohol business, and many people wanted to get in on it. 3. The demand created "speakeasies", or ____________ 4. The Speakeasies needed people to ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Why was alcohol outlawed in the United States at this time? 2. Why didn't the ban on alcohol reduce the crime rate? 3. How are problems with alcohol and organized crime different today?