Gangsterism/Organised Crime - why it became powerful and popular

Gangsterism/Organised Crime - why it became powerful and popular

1. 'Glamourisation' of the gangster

   • Al Capone
     • Leading gangster in Chicago
     • Controlled speakeasies, bookmakers' joints, gambling houses, brothels etc.
     • Admired by Americans - moved in highest social circles
       • For the people

2. Failure to enforce prohibition

   • Lack of Resources
     • Never more than 2500 Internal revenue service agents
       • Not enough to enforce prohibition
     • Not enough police to tackle the scale of the problem
   • Bribery
     • Lawbreakers bought law enforcers' silence
     • Al Capone had half of the local officials on his payroll
     • Al Capone controlled the mayor, senior police and fixed local elections

3. Violent Activities

   • St Valentine's Day massacre
     • Al Capone wanted to control all of Chicago's gangs
     • Organised shooting of several leaders of rival gangs in broad daylight
     • Led to realisation that gangsters weren't the glamorous people imagined

4. Gangster as a 'Robin Hood' figure

   • Al Capone was the first person to open soup kitchens after the Wall Street crash
   • Ordered stores to give clothes and food to the needy at his own expense