Gangsters made huge profits during Prohibition by smuggling alcohol into the United States through bootlegging and rum-running. Famous gangsters like Al Capone in Chicago and Nucky Johnson in Atlantic City became powerful through illegally supplying alcohol and other illegal activities. While gangsters broke the law, they were often popular within their communities for helping ordinary citizens and gaining political power and influence that allowed their criminal operations to continue.

1. Gangsters and Bootleggers By Will B Bobbie T Barbara L

2. Bootlegging and Rum-Running Bootlegging- smuggling of alcohol on land Rum-running- smuggling of alcohol over seas Gangsters made huge profit from bootlegging alcohol because there was a large desire for it and the government could not tax or regulate it

3. Famous Gangsters

4. Al Capone Leader of a gang called the “Capones” in Chicago Famous for bootlegging and racketeering Participated in Chicago’s “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”

5. Bill McCoy Considered himself an “honest lawbreaker” Rum-runner during prohibition Smuggled from the Bahamas to “rum row” in Long Island Actions created the phrase “the real McCoy”

6. Enoch “Nucky” Johnson Main character of “Boardwalk Empire” Atlantic City political boss and racketeer Facilitated the illegal alcohol trade in Atlantic City Helped to build up Atlantic City as “The World’s Playground”

7. Importance of Gangsters 1920s were a time of large corporate monopolies, so the “little guy” had no voice Gangsters were “urban Robin Hoods” Helped out the “little guy” and were thus generally well liked by their communities Some (i.e. Nucky Johnson) became politicians because of their appeal to the masses The mass appeal and support of politicians facilitated gangsters’ illegal activities