Lesson Plan #: CC-0073

Lesson 2: Alcohol and Organized Crime in the 1920s.


Objectives: The student will be able to:

1. describe the relationship between alcohol and organized crime in the 1920s.

2. explain why alcohol was outlawed.

3. explain why banning alcohol did not cut back on crime.

4. compare problems of alcohol and organized crime from the 1920s with those of today.


Description of lesson/activity:

1. The teacher should provide information about Prohibition to the students. Students may read the accompanying "Alcohol and Organized Crime in the 1920s." Other possible resources are listed below. The October 1993, issue of "Cobblestone Magazine" has several articles on this topic.

2. Students should complete "Alcohol and Organized Crime in the 1920s" student worksheet.

3. Following a review of the worksheet, the teacher should lead a discussion that compares the problems of prohibition with current use of alcohol. Students might also discuss government restriction of the advertisement and sale of tobacco products and t he current use of illegal drugs. Students should understand how government acts in these instances and the results in the amount of criminal activi ty.


Resources for Lesson 2:

Barry, James P. The Noble Experiment, 1919-1933. (New York: Franklin Watts, 1972).

Clark, Norman H. Deliver Us from Evil: An Interpretation of American Prohibition. (New York: Norton, 1976). "Prohibition." Cobblestone, October 1993.

Severn, Bill. The End of the Roaring Twenties: Prohibition and Repeal. (New York: J. Messner, 1969).