How Prohibition Fed the Rise of Organized Crime

For many, the era of prohibition is synonymous with the rise of organized crime. This period marked a significant turning point in the history of criminal organizations, setting the stage for a nationwide and even international menace. But how did prohibition actually contribute to the growth of these criminal enterprises?

Prohibition: A Noble Failure

Prohibition, which began in January 1920, aimed to civilize unruly Americans by banning the manufacture and sale of alcohol. However, as history shows, this well-intentioned policy had unintended and detrimental consequences. Organized crime, particularly the American Mafia, profited immensely from the black market created by prohibition. Before this law, criminal gangs were localized, operating primarily as protection rackets or involved in vice entrepreneurship. But prohibition transformed these groups into mighty enterprises with sophisticated black-market schemes.

The Rise of Organized Crime

Bootlegging or the illegal distillation and sale of alcoholic beverages became widespread, turning a centuries-old practice into a lucrative industry. Organized crime had a grip on society already, with top levels of the underworld often acting as muscle for political institutions and power brokers. But prohibition granted these criminal organizations the enormous revenue that transformed them into nationwide and even international forces of mayhem.

The Impact of the Bootlegging Industry

With prohibition, criminal gangs found a surefire money maker, a need that only they could fill. For instance, Al Capone, one of the most notorious gangsters of the time, is estimated to have made around $100 million. This wealth allowed them to buy influence, including bribing cops, judges, and politicians. It also enabled the purchase of large quantities of weapons and the hiring of a workforce they might not have otherwise gained access to. This financial windfall contributed to the consolidation and professionalization of these criminal groups.

The Building Blocks of the National Crime Syndicate

The cultural and financial impact of prohibition cannot be overstated. Organized crime had a cultural boost, as the era saw a rise in gangster movies reflecting the brutal wars over turf. The national crime syndicate, as we know it today, likely wouldn't exist without the foundation laid by prohibition.

The combination of criminal organizations working together at unprecedented levels and the already established criminal cultures that migrated with them created the perfect environment for the National Crime Syndicate to emerge. This period marked a significant socio-economic and cultural shift, setting the stage for organized crime to become a pervasive force in American society.

While organized crime did exist before prohibition, it was prohibition that provided the massive revenue needed to turn these criminal enterprises into nationwide and even international threats. The black-market industry of illicit alcohol provided a solid foundation for the growth and professionalization of criminal organizations, leading to the establishment of the National Crime Syndicate. The legacy of prohibition remains a pivotal moment in the history of organized crime.