Prohibition Crime Effects

Words: 833
Pages: 4

If Prohibition had never occurred, the most obvious effect would be the disappearance of the proliferation of organized crime throughout the United States. Had there been no Al Capone or Lucky Luciano, Las Vegas wouldn’t exist making Nevada one of the most forgettable states in the country. Las Vegas was the dream of Bugsy Siegel who was previously a member of Murder Inc. and right hand man of Lucky Luciano. Siegel bought the Flamingo Hotel and Casino from William R. Wilkerson and transformed the desolate desert into a haven for gambling and all things illegal. Siegel would later defy his superiors in New York and would be murdered in a case that has yet to be solved. Another difference that could be seen is the difference in income tax today. …show more content…
Crime would probably be a larger issue than it currently is in the United States which would likely result in the strengthening of law enforcement (which is already heightening tensions between whites and blacks). If alcohol was still banned, it could possibly prove to be a benefit as more people might drink alcohol rather than do harmful drugs like LSD or meth. I don’t think the mafia would be able to adapt with modern times since the NSA is always watching and listening. They would probably be able to continue to produce alcohol and smuggle it into the country (as seen with El Chapo), but I don’t think they could maintain the level of dominance they had over the nation. Drugs became the new alcohol as time passed and the mafia would have to branch off into that in order to maintain control over the United States. I would hope that bribery is less influential today than in the 1920’s but it likely depends on where you live. Local elections are likely influenced by the wealthy and even presidential candidates are influenced by the donors to their campaigns (Wall Street). With the growth of cars as a source of transportation across the US, I would hope drunk driving incidents would be significantly lower (or more likely relatively the same) since alcohol would be banned in the US.
Similarly to the recent legalization of recreational marijuana, it would be naïve to think that the ban on alcohol wouldn’t ever be repealed but one can always dream (as supporters of the temperance movement did with their fantastical aspirations for the 18th