CHAMUN BACKGROUND GUIDE 2016
PROHIBITION: POWER, POLITICS AND PROFIT
WELCOME AND INVITATION
Welcome gentlemen, and other associates, to the first ever meeting regarding the recent
laws embarking on Prohibition within the United States of America. Due to security issues, the
location of the meeting cannot be written in this document to ensure that Federal Agents do not
discover the safe house's location to where the meeting will take place.
SETTING THE SCENE
It is the early 1920’s, 1921 to be exact, and we have called upon you because we believe
that you are the most equipped to take on the task of maneuvering around the new and petty laws
set forth by the 18th Amendment. With Prohibition coming into force on January 16, 1920, the
sale, transport, and assemblement of alcohol was banned, thereby placing the success of your
various families and crews in serious jeopardy. It is up to you whether you will succumb and
become prey to this newfound law that attempts to eradicate thriving individuals such as
yourselves, or whether you will all collaborate as a team to devise solutions in order to continue
with the profit from the consumption of alcoholic beverages across the United States of America.
The Temperance Movement has been strongly entwined with the spread of suffrage, even
at its inception. With its earliest roots being traced back to the 1820’s and 30’s, temperance
originally was confined towards limiting immense alcoholic excess, with a focus more upon
strong liquors than weaker alcohols. This original focus was quickly discarded following the
emergence of Teetotalism: complete abstinence from all forms of alcohol. This shift came in
conjunction with several new viewpoints regarding the benefits of Temperance. Whilst in its
beginning, Temperance was largely pushed by various religious groups. Now, Temperance came
back with a vengeance, with new goals on protecting children from the threats of alcoholism and
the damages that alcohol could have on the “working class”, which was being bolstered by large
amounts of Irish and Italian immigrants coming to America, along with the thirst for alcohol
their respective cultures possessed. In addition to this, Temperance was also fueled by
suffragists, firstly men wanting universal male suffrage who wished to use temperance as a way
of displaying to the powers that be that they could be trusted with a vote, and later with women’s
suffrage groups, However, while the movement continued to pick up steam through the 19th
CHAMUN BACKGROUND GUIDE 2016
PROHIBITION: POWER, POLITICS AND PROFIT
century, it wouldn’t be until after World War One where the Temperance Movement gained the
strength it needed to bring its goals into legislation.
The First World War offered a trinity of benefits to the Temperance Movement.
Foremost, the war greatly limited the amount of resources that the average citizen had access to.
Amongst the various restrictions placed upon goods such as sugar, it was argued that a similar
ban against alcoholic beverages would significantly increase the amount of grain available to go
towards the war effort. This cumulated in the passing of the Wartime Prohibition Act, banning
drinks with alcohol contents over 2.75%, however, the act only came into legislation in July
1919, almost a full year after the end of WW1. Secondly, due to widespread distrust towards
Germans throughout and after the war years, the voices of German-American citizens (who were
very much opposed to Temperance) were largely ignored in popular opinion. Finally, and
perhaps most influential, was the rise in the importance of women during the war years. With a
massive portion of the male population away in Europe, woman’s rights were on the rise, with
many gaining job positions that were left vacant. Many women supported temperance, and
several groups, most prominently the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, were large forces
towards its eventual introduction. In response to vast pressures, Congress proposed the 18th
Amendment, which was eventually passed on January 16, 1919, with the conditions that the ban
of all “manufacture, sale, ... transport (and) ... import of intoxicating liquors ... (within) The
United States”, would take effect immediately after one year. In the interim, the Volstead Act
was passed, which defined the powers of the federal government to enforce the 18th Amendment.
The Volstead Act set that any liquid containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume was
prohibited, as well as that the act superseded any state laws regarding alcohol.
More interesting to this committee however, is what The Volstead Act fails to enforce. A
key factor in the legislation is that it does not, in fact, ban the consumption of alcohol. Many
members of upper and lower society took notice of this gap, and, during the year leading up to
Prohibition coming into effect, began to create private stockpiles of alcohol. Furthermore, The
Volstead Act contains several exceptions to prohibition, actually guaranteeing that there is a
supply of alcohol that is not only legal but promoted in its use in scientific research, industrial
manufacturing, and for purposes in religion. A shrewd mind should have cogs begin to turn when
looking at the possibilities these stipulations may present.
CHAMUN BACKGROUND GUIDE 2016
PROHIBITION: POWER, POLITICS AND PROFIT
A United States city in the 1920s where shady practices led to the taking advantage of the
newly enacted laws of Prohibition was Chicago, where mainly two gangs ruled. The Chicago
Outfit was a South Side Chicago Gang that originated in the 1900s due to an enormous increase
in Italian immigrants at that time; the Chicago Outfit only began to thrive in the 1920s as
Prohibition was enacted. Before the introduction of Prohibition in the 1920s, the Chicago Outfit
was mainly involved with prostitution and gambling. The Chicago Outfit was under the
operation of Alphonse Gabriel (Al) Capone and Johnny Torrio, and was without a doubt the
greatest criminal organization in the Midwestern area of the United States of America. Due to its
vast progress and success, the Chicago Outfit expanded into the Gold Coast, which was the
territory of their bitter rivals, the Irish-American North Side Gang, led by the notorious Dean
O’Banion. Their constant battle and race for territory and alcohol distribution for profit often led
to bloody murders
and gang wars.
While the United States has turned dry, this is not the case in many of the neighbouring
countries. Canada had faced many of the same pressures that the United States had in the years
coming up to Prohibition, however, it had taken a significantly more lenient view on alcohol than
America. National Prohibition was only in force from 1918-1920, and while individual provinces
controlled alcohol within their own borders, many have already begun to remove such harsh
measures. Notably, the Province of Québec has already started selling alcohol again, and the city
of Montreal offers the image of a veritable oasis to the dry United States. In addition to Canada,
many opportunities exist to the south, namely Mexico and the countries of the Caribbean. These
CHAMUN BACKGROUND GUIDE 2016
PROHIBITION: POWER, POLITICS AND PROFIT
nations remain free from the confines of Prohibition, and thus the alcohol flows freely. Frankly,
America may seem to be the only country losing out! However, it is only because of this that you
men stand to make some tremendous gains. While the threats of Border Security and the U.S.
Coast Guard are present, the amount of booze available outside of the border is too good to pass
upon.
The prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s was not enough to drive liquor out of the United
States of America. Due to the passing of the 18th Amendment, the rise of Speakeasies allowed
for the continued sale and consumption of alcohol around the nation. A speakeasy was a secret
club, store, or place that sold illegally sold alcoholic beverages in the 1920s. Private distilleries
also operated outside of the law, attempting to quench the thirst of America without being found
out. Although many speakeasies were often breached by the Department of Justice’s newly
formed Bureau of Prohibition, they were so lucrative that they continued to prosper and thrive,
seeing that they were the only locations where Americans could get their hands on liquor and
alcohol. Often hidden behind salons or previously closed down bars, speakeasies were mostly
organized by gangsters and much secrecy and security had to be put into their making.
Combatting the newly formed speakeasies was the enactment of the Volstead Act on
October 28, 1919, which in part allowed for the integration of government officials in society to
implement prohibition laws and to aid in the finding and eventual shutdown of local speakeasies,
as they were well camouflaged and incredibly hard to find. However, this proved to backfire, as
many of the government officials often took large bribes to report incorrect findings due to their
low wages. With this, many speakeasies flew under the radar as these government officials were
“paid off” to not report what they had observed.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR THIS COMMITTEE
It goes without saying that the actions taken place at this meeting will lead to dangers
down the line. But it is the brave souls such as yourselves who have the tenacity to work against
the tyranny of the government, as well as make a little on the side. This committee will focus on
the supply and distribution of alcohol and territory; how to deal with rival gangs and the ever
CHAMUN BACKGROUND GUIDE 2016
PROHIBITION: POWER, POLITICS AND PROFIT
present threat of the law; and how you can make the taps of America flow once again. It is
essential that the committee works together and “lays low”, as any major disputes are sure to
draw attention. You are entering an unprecedented opportunity for profit, and banding together
to create a code of honour among thieves will be the only way that you may be able to survive.
Remember, you were brought here to work together...anyone who decides to go too far in their
own greed and ambition will suffer the consequences, and the long arm of the law would sooner
strangle you than lend a hand. And as for your former allies, revenge is a dish best served cold.