Machine Gun Kelly The 1920’s otherwise known as the roaring twenties was the era of prohibition outlawing alcohol and the era of gangsters like al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. If it wasn’t for the outlawing of alcohol I would probably be out of work dirt poor. I would be back on my farm in Tennessee where I grew up shoveling cow shit and arguing with my drunk of a dad every night. The first chance Kelly gave me to go back to Chicago with him I took, taking full advantage of the gang life. July of 1933 was a very eventful month for me and the rest of Machine Gun Kelly’s gang. My name is John Hand, notoriously known as “Hand Gun Johnny”, a name Kelly gave me as I rose to the ranks of his right hand man. Kelly had made a name for him robbing small banks, and bootlegging alcohol but he always wanted more, or his wife wanted more. Me and the boys always joked about how Kelly’s wife Kathryn Kelly, had always been the brains behind all of our schemes to rob and bootleg. This scheme whether Kelly plotted it or Katherine plotted it was like no other thing we had done before. Kelly had us watching this man for the past month, what time he leaves his house, to what time he gets to his house. We had to know what time he went to bed to what time he was mostly alone in his mansion. His name was Charles Urschel, wealthy tycoon and businessman but to us he was just a way to get money. James Connor and I accompanied Kelly when he plotted to raid the wealthy man’s home and kidnap him for ransom money. It was a very still calm night, light breeze. It was as if I could sense the nervousness on my partners face but for Kelly I saw nothing. Just the cold, hard, terrifying look that was always on Kelly’s face unless he was with his wife. We waited... ... middle of paper ... ...hole”. Other than the harsh conditions warden had on us a times life wasn’t bad at Alcatraz. Kelly’s cellmate said he would get depressed when he got mail from his family and that he regretted all the crimes he committed to get himself locked up here. I didn’t believe him till I got a job in the mail room. I constantly saw letters from Kelly sent to Urschel begging him to plead his case, I never saw a reply to Kelly’s letters. No one knows the exact reason but Kelly was transferred back to Leavenworth in 1951 leaving me the keys to his big cigarette business. I never really heard from him after he was transferred. He supposedly died of a heart attack sometime in 1954. All the gangs and crimes we committed over the years were because of the outlawing of alcohol and the “prohibition era” is what they call it. We just called it the roaring twenties.
The 1920s or the roaring twenties was post World War I and before the Great Depression. Unfortunately, not everything was pleasing for the 1920s, as this time period experienced social, economic, and cultural alterations that affected the lives of Americans. One reason I would not enjoy living in the 1920s was because during this time a law prohibition was passed abolishing the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol and liquors which led to bootlegging and high crime.The 20’s were a very time changing era. Personally, I think things were to uncontrolled and especially for young women living the cities of America. They could now
The 1920s was a time of conservatism and it was a time of great social change. From the world of fashion to the world of politics, forces clashed to produce the most explosive decade of the century. It was the age of prohibition, it was the age of prosperity, and it was the age of downfall.
Describe the decade known as the “Roaring Twenties”. I chose this question because of the many changes that came about during the 1920’s. One of the changes was how it greatly affected the woman’s position in society and the right to vote. It was also a decade of Prohibition, led by the Volstead Act in 1919. Four presidents were to serve office during this decade. Woodrow Wilson left office in March of 1921, followed by Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge and ending with Herbert Hoover. When we think of the 1920’s what comes to mind is prohibition, bootleg, flappers, speakeasy, organized crime and at the end of the 1920’s the Great Depression.
The 1920’s were a time of growth and innovation. The workforce was getting bigger, women finally had the right to vote, and African Americans started to integrate and migrate from the south to the north looking for jobs. The result was a larger working class and the creation of a new, middle class. Society became more consumer-based, allotting for more leisure time. Times could not get any better. Business was booming, America was turning into a world power, skyscrapers dotted the skylines, and a new music started to sweep the nation. However, not everything was good. There was a huge spike in crime, and the heroes of society were also the biggest criminals. Due to Jazz Age and prohibition, the 1920’s were an intense time period with a newfound drive for innovation, the new woman, and a loss of structure.
In 1920, the Congress of the United States ratified the Eighteenth Amendment, which was a ban across the United States on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of all alcoholic beverages. During this time, also known as the Prohibition-era, many citizens smuggled and transported alcohol, a process referred to as bootlegging. The illegal activity brought much stress and challenges for law enforcement agencies of the area; they struggled to continuously keep alcohol off the streets. One man that caused a majority of the stress and stands out for his bootlegging empire is Al Capone. According to many historians and biographers, Al Capone was, perhaps, one of the most notorious and ruthless gangsters of the Prohibition-era based on his involvement in smuggling and bootlegging liquor, as well as his criminal activities.
The 1920’s, or rather known as the roaring twenties, were an exuberant era filled with prohibition, speakeasies, and wild youth. Within this time, the robust economy was booming with stocks increasing rapidly, causing people to get rich quick. During the twenties, life was brilliant with numerous opportunities including changes within politics, women’s rights and racial prejudice.
In the early 17th century, a Miwokian Native American traverses a 22-acre island, searching for the eggs of pelicans and other seabirds (Weirde 1). This native is unaware of the cultural and global impact the small, desolate island will have. Around the same period of time, an Ohlone Native American is exiled for violating tribal ordinances (“Pre-1769”). This Native American is homologously unaware that the island he is exiled on will ironically be used for a much similar purpose in only a few centuries as a federal penitentiary. Most Americans now know this island as Alcatraz; however, the island’s use before it housed a federal penitentiary is not typically well-known. When a typical American hears “Alcatraz”, they conjure up images of a maximum-security prison, Al Capone, and many other stereotypicalities. On the contrary, Alcatraz has a surprisingly rich pre-prison history.
Al Capone and prohibition go hand in hand in history, just look at this quote from him “When I sell liquor, it's called bootlegging; when my patrons serve it on Lake Shore Drive, it's called hospitality”. Prohibition gave many people opportunities in unexpected ways like Al Capone (Alphonse Gabriel “Al” Capone) because Al Capone could not be The Al Capone if it was not for prohibition. Prohibitions ideals seemed impeccable since drunk accidents were supposed to happen less but it was quite the opposite. The contributions that prohibition had were not good at all to name a few: increased violence, no money gathered from the government by an alcohol tax, and many more which allowed for people like Al Capone to make a leaving of, of violence and illegal activities since he did not have good influences in his life.
The 1920s, the jazz age was such a historical time. A time of new arts and culture. But also, a time of great destruction. The 1920s were a great deal of crime and corruption. All because of the banning of alcohol. This amendment caused rumrunners, bootleggers and gangsters, like Al Capone. Speakeasies were where the illegal beverages were distributed. Prohibition led to the destruction of society in the 1920s.
Alcatraz Island has quite a distinct history. Many people know that Alcatraz served as a federal prison, but most are reluctant to know that this island served as fort. Built before the Civil War, it served two main purposes. First, that it was to guard the San Francisco bay area from enemy ships against a foreign invasion, and second, to hold hostage prisoners of war or POW's as they were called. In this report, I'll show you how this fortress came to be a federal prison, why it is no longer in operation today, and most importantly, to show why it was built in the first place. When the great "Gold Rush" of 1849 first started, California grew from what would be considered a small, unpopulated state, into what it is now. California is now one of the most populated states and it was mostly the gold rush that brought attention to California. As the government saw all of this happening, they realized that California was much more important than they ever realized. In their realization, they decided that California must be protected. San Francisco has one of the largest bays in all of California, and so this was where enemy countries would most likely to try to invade the country. So this is where Alcatraz was to lie, to serve as a military fort. It was supposed to serve as a secondary base in companionship to another base located on the other side of Golden Gate Bridge. But with severe problems trying to build this other base, Alcatraz was to remain alone. "Out in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, the island of Alcatraz is definitely a world unto itself. Isolation is just one of the many constants of island life for any inhabitant on Alcatraz Island. It is the most reoccurring theme in the unfolding history of Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz Island is one of Golden Gate National Recreation Area's most popular destinations, offering a close-up look at a historic and infamous federal prison long off-limits to the public. Visitors to the island can not only explore the remnants of the prison, but learn of the American occupation of 1969 - 1971, early military fortifications and the West Coast's first and oldest operating lighthouse. These structures stand among the island's many natural features - gardens, tidepools, bird nests, and bay views beyond compare." (1) Fortress Alcatraz ran in operation from 1850 - 1933. It served as San Fr...
The roaring twenties were a time of cultural, artistic, and social explosion for the United States of America. This era was distinguished by several inventions and discoveries, rapid industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand and significant changes in American lifestyle. It was a time when people lived life to the fullest and pursued having a good time. The census of 1920 showed that for the first time in American history, more people lived in urban areas such as cities than out in the country. While the amount of modern technology would be somewhat lackluster in comparison to what we have today, I would be glad to live in the 1920’s.
The 1920s is the decade in American history known as the “roaring twenties.” Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is a reflection of life in the 1920s. Booming parties, prominence, fresh fashion trends, and the excess of alcohol are all aspects of life in the “roaring twenties.”
Nearby Alfred Bello and Arthur Bradley were breaking into a factory. Bello was the lookout, and his exact location - inside or outside the bar - would be a point of concentration for the next twenty years. The police arrived at the bar within minutes. They took statements from Marins, Valenine, and Bello. Not one of them said they had seen Rubin Carter, one of Paterson’s most well-known citizens, at the scene. A police bulletin radioed officers to be on the lookout for a white car with two black men inside.
The 1920s in America, known as the "Roaring Twenties", was a time of celebration after a devastating war. It was a period of time in America characterised by prosperity and optimism. There was a general feeling of discontinuity associated with modernity and a break with traditions.
The 1920s in America was an exciting rise socially and economically. The economic rise of the 1920s was based on selling more and more goods.There was Prohibition and at one point selling alcohol was illegal. Speakeasies and bootleggers had alcohol illegally and flappers (a fashionable young woman intent on enjoying herself and flouting conventional standards of behavior) would drink, go out, and smoke. Also, many people went out to go see movies in theaters. Historians estimated that three quarters of the population saw a movie every week. (Source 1) It became okay for women to do this in society but they were considered rebellious. Frequent new merchandise came out so people kept on buying to excess. People had the money because of the stock they invested in and pay was high. There were more and more new objects, such as the Model T, refrigerator, dishwasher and many others. (Source 1) There was no more room for these objects so they were stored in warehouses. Eventually there was a collapse because there was more...