The Bonanza of Prohibition: the Business of Bootlegging and the Empowerment of Organized Crime

In Episode 9, Pettengill discusses the "bonanza" created by Prohibition. He notes the great flaw of the Temperance movement - the assumption that everyone would comply with the law and there would be no demand for alcohol if it was illegal. As it turns out, demand remained steady and criminals were more than happy to provide the "product." Pettengill offers an overview of individuals like Johnny Torrio, the Purple Gang, George Remus, Waxey Gordon, and Arnold Rothstein. By essentially creating a black market, Pettengill notes how these criminals became the emperors of vast bootlegging fiefdoms.