Organized Crime
The narrative of organized crime in the exhibit American Spirits involves the growth and evolution of Organized Crime during Prohibition. Although clearly organized crime had been established way before the 1920s, during Prohibition relevant crime organizations had a need to expand their channels of business and develop partners to stay stable.
As business and organizations grew so did the competition. Everyone was fighting for the same market and in result caused an increase in violence. One of the most famous examples of the increase in violence occurred in Chicago. It occurred on Valentine’s Day in 1929. Al Capone’s hit men posed as police and took out seven members of a rival gang. This became known as the Valentine’s Day massacre. From New York to Chicago to Philadelphia to Atlantic City these organizations developed a system of bootlegging and rum running to expand their business and clients. Crime was money and money equaled competition. Murders and gunfire was constant as each organization tried to dominate the market.
As business and organizations grew so did the competition. Everyone was fighting for the same market and in result caused an increase in violence. One of the most famous examples of the increase in violence occurred in Chicago. It occurred on Valentine’s Day in 1929. Al Capone’s hit men posed as police and took out seven members of a rival gang. This became known as the Valentine’s Day massacre. From New York to Chicago to Philadelphia to Atlantic City these organizations developed a system of bootlegging and rum running to expand their business and clients. Crime was money and money equaled competition. Murders and gunfire was constant as each organization tried to dominate the market.
From organized crimes arose the famous faces we know of today. Al Capone, “Lucky” Luciano, “Boo Boo” Hoff, and “Bugs” Morgan were few of the many men who became well-known figures during this era. Even though they were the ones would executed violence, the public idolized these bosses. These bosses spent millions of dollars a year to stay out of prison and protect their business from law men. This is another evolving factor that even made criminal organizations even more powerful and more complex. Law men were paid off and politicians were bought. These bosses needed to be smart and know that regardless of their power on the street they were nothing without political protection. With political friends and law men who were paid offed these organizations became untouchable. They all had their hands in drugs, prostitution, and booze business. They built brothels and had saloons. Drugs became a new industry that these bosses got involved with. The main goal was to corner the market and control every area.