The Golden Age of Gangsterism
Making alcohol illegal led to the bribery of the police. Violence often broke out in between gangs in big cities and especially in immigrant neighborhoods. Machine guns were often referred to as "typewriters". Over 500 mobsters of the 1920's were murdered. Chicago was a major city that housed many gangsters.
Al Capone, a murderous alcohol distributor, began six years of gang warfare that brought him in millions of dollars. His cars were plated with armor and his windows were made of bulletproof glass. On the events taking place in Chicago, a Brooklyn newspaper wrote:
"And the pistol's red glare,
Bombs bursting in air
Give proof through the night
That Chicago's still there."
Gangsters were not only involved in the distribution of alcohol, but many other crimes including prostitution, gambling, and narcotics. Organized crime had now become the country's biggest business. By the end of the 1920's, the annual "take" from organized crime was estimated to be from $12 billion to $18 billion.
Al Capone, a murderous alcohol distributor, began six years of gang warfare that brought him in millions of dollars. His cars were plated with armor and his windows were made of bulletproof glass. On the events taking place in Chicago, a Brooklyn newspaper wrote:
"And the pistol's red glare,
Bombs bursting in air
Give proof through the night
That Chicago's still there."
Gangsters were not only involved in the distribution of alcohol, but many other crimes including prostitution, gambling, and narcotics. Organized crime had now become the country's biggest business. By the end of the 1920's, the annual "take" from organized crime was estimated to be from $12 billion to $18 billion.
Short Video on Gangsters in the 1920's: Short Documentary on Lindbergh Kidnapping:
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The Lindbergh Baby
In 1932, Charles A. Lindbergh's infant son was kidnapped from his home in East Amwell Township, New Jersey and murdered.It was one of the most highly publicized crimes of the 1920's. The baby was taken from its crib by gangsters, who had left a ransom note. Over two months after the baby was kidnapped its body was found a short distance from Lindbergh's home. The crime spurred Congress to pass the Federal Kidnapping Act, commonly called "the Lindbergh Law" , that made interstate abduction in certain circumstances a death penalty offense and made the abduction and transportation of a victim across state lines a federal crime.
Article on Lindbergh Kidnapping: (Copy and paste into URL)
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lindbergh-baby-kidnapped
In 1932, Charles A. Lindbergh's infant son was kidnapped from his home in East Amwell Township, New Jersey and murdered.It was one of the most highly publicized crimes of the 1920's. The baby was taken from its crib by gangsters, who had left a ransom note. Over two months after the baby was kidnapped its body was found a short distance from Lindbergh's home. The crime spurred Congress to pass the Federal Kidnapping Act, commonly called "the Lindbergh Law" , that made interstate abduction in certain circumstances a death penalty offense and made the abduction and transportation of a victim across state lines a federal crime.
Article on Lindbergh Kidnapping: (Copy and paste into URL)
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lindbergh-baby-kidnapped
Direct Translation of the Lindbergh Ransom Note:
Dear Sir!
Have 50.000$ redy 25 000$ in
20$ bills 15000$ in 10$ bills and
10000$ in 5$ bills After 2–4 days
we will inform you were to deliver
the mony.
We warn you for making
anyding public or for notify the Police
The child is in gut care.
Indication for all letters are
Singnature (Symbol to right)
and three hohls.
Dear Sir!
Have 50.000$ redy 25 000$ in
20$ bills 15000$ in 10$ bills and
10000$ in 5$ bills After 2–4 days
we will inform you were to deliver
the mony.
We warn you for making
anyding public or for notify the Police
The child is in gut care.
Indication for all letters are
Singnature (Symbol to right)
and three hohls.