Do you want to get rich selling alcohol during the Prohibition era? Then welcome to the team of Brooklyn bootleggers!
The Problems of a Drinking Society
The anti-alcohol movement in the U.S. emerged back in the late 19th century. How could such trends arise in a society that comprises one of the most drinking countries in the world?! It’s just madness!
Of course, the common folk were not willing to stop, but entrepreneurs, the police, the government, and industrialists were greatly troubled by alcohol. The wealthy wanted workers to be sober and work properly. The police dreamed of reducing crime rates in the country, and entrepreneurs were simply tired of searching for new laborers every month – many workers would vanish after payday.
Prohibition – cursed be it!
In 1923, the U.S. government enacted Prohibition. The 18th Amendment was added to the Constitution, marking a division of life into before and after.
Satisfied members of the anti-alcohol movement marched in droves through the streets with posters urging Americans to stop drinking, while lovers of strong drinks cursed the fools who equated calls for a sober lifestyle with madness. But the law is the law. There’s nothing to be done about it!
Bootlegging – a pastime for everyone
However, bootleggers thought otherwise. Illegal alcohol sales broke all conceivable records! Men hid bottles and flasks behind the tops of their boots – hence the name “bootleggers” (boot – shoe, leg – leg, translated from English).
Soon ladies joined the gentlemen. Female bootleggers had far more places to hide their contraband! Tiny flasks fit nicely in rubber bands on their legs, not to mention bottomless corsets, hands hidden under lace dresses… it was much easier for women to engage in illegal trade.
In many states, the law prohibited searching women, and the penalties for them were less severe – usually, the lovely bootleggers merely received fines or were required to attend church services regularly. Men, on the other hand, had a good chance of ending up in prison.
Rotten Liquor and Other Problems
The police did everything possible to catch bootleggers: firstly, they were breaking the law, and secondly, millions of dollars were slipping past the Federal Tax Service. Genuine wars often broke out between law enforcement and illegal producers! The legendary Al Capone began his career in organized crime precisely with one such confrontation – he managed to come out unscathed and nab a huge amount of money, enough to develop his underground alcohol production.
Bootleggers didn’t pamper the common folk, especially the poor. The quality of illegal drinks was, to put it mildly, rather poor! The less fortunate bought the cheapest rotgut made from who knows what – mortality during Prohibition increased dramatically, despite a significant reduction in the overall crime rate.
Bootleggers Need a New Hero
Later, authorities mandated manufacturers to add methanol to technical alcohol, preventing bootleggers from using it as raw material. However, the deadly poison did not deter either the underground entrepreneurs or their clients.
Bootlegging was a highly lucrative business. Thanks to illegal trade, people became real millionaires in just a couple of years! By the way, you can also try your luck with Brooklyn bootleggers who know how to do business during Prohibition. Play right now, and may luck be on your side!