Prohibition

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Prohibition Bootlegging in the Bahamas

• By
• Nestor Taylor 9T1

2
Introduction

• During the prohibition era many changes occurred
  within the Bahamas. This presentation will allow
  you to see what prohibition was and the impact
  that it had on the Bahamian society.

3
Words To Know

• Prohibition the forbidding by law of the
  manufacturing, importation, sale or purchase of
  alcoholic beverages
• Bootlegging the making, transport or sale of
  illegal goods especially liquor
• Temperance total abstinence from alcohol
• Volstead Act a law passed by the American
  government to stop the sale, manufacturing and
  importation of liquor

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How did prohibition and bootlegging begin?

• In 1919 America passed the Volstead Act.
• Manufacturing, the sale of and importation of
  liquor became illegal.
• A group of women known as the Womens Temperance
  Union and Anti Saloon League complained about the
  amount of alcohol consumed.
• They blamed liquor for the increase in crime and
  poverty.
• Since alcohol became illegal and the demand for
  it still existed persons sought illegal ways to
  bring it into the country or make it secretly.
• Since the Bahamas did not have a ban on alcohol
  it was used to ship alcohol.

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The Role of the Bahamas in Prohibition and
Bootlegging

• The Bahamas became a supply depot or transhipment
  point for alcohol smuggling.
• West End, Grand Bahama, Bimini and Gun Cay were
  used to store rum until it could be shipped to
  America because of their proximity to America.
• Rum, whiskey and gin were brought in from England
  and Scotland to be sold.
• Bahamian families such as the Bethels Christie,
  Kelly, Collins, Sands and Symonette exported
  liquor secretly to America for a lot of money.

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The Role of the Bahamas in Prohibition and
Bootlegging

• Since alcohol was not illegal in the Bahamas the
  government only increased the taxes.
• The government did not consider the law in
  America since it allowed a larger income to the
  government treasury.

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How was rum smuggled in and out of the country?

• Ships would come to Nassau and anchor outside of
  the harbour.
• Small boats would carry the liquor to the ships
  which would then take the liquor to New Jersey.
• Because West End, Gun Cay and Bimini were used as
  storage centers the Coast Guard patrolled the
  Florida waters to prevent bootlegging.

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How was rum smuggled in and out of the country?

• Coast Guard ships were smaller and slower than
  the smuggling boats so this did not stop the
  Bahamians from taking the chance to transport
  alcohol.
• Because of the proximity to Florida sometimes
  captains would make up to two trips each night.
• Small seaplanes made the trip during the day.
• Since they carried less than the boats they
  sometimes made up to five trips a day.

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How was rum smuggled in and out of the country?

• The passage travelled became known as the Rum
  Line or Rum Row.
• The business of transporting or smuggling
  alcoholic beverages which are forbidden by law
  across the water became known as rum running.

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Benefits of Prohibition and Bootlegging to the
Bahamas
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
Many Bahamians got jobs. Salaries were increased. A city water supply and sewerage system was installed. Churches were repaired with liquor money. Roads were remade and cars began to appear. Hotels and casinos were built. Many gangsters came to arrange shipment of their cargo. Bahamians began to gamble more at hotels which were the headquarters for the gangsters. Bahamians stopped farming to make quick money. Less people were living in the Family Islands because many came to Nassau to get jobs.
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• WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?

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Jeopardy
Choose a category. You will be given the
question. You must give the correct answer.
Click to begin.
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Choose a point value.
Choose a point value.
Click here for Final Jeopardy
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PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS!!!
Terms
Prohibition Existence
Smuggling Process
Prohibition Benefits/ Side effects
Role of the Bahamas
10 Point
10 Point
10 Point
10 Point
10 Point
20 Points
20 Points
20 Points
20 Points
20 Points
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What does temperance mean?
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Total abstinence from alcohol.
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What is rum running?
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The illegal transport of transporting alcohol
across water.
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What caused the Bahamas to take part in illegal
trading?
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Volstead Act
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Which groups caused the Volstead Act to be
passed in America?
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Womens Temperance Union Anti Saloon League
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What role did the Bahamas play in prohibition and
bootlegging?
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Transshipment point
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Which countries did the rum come from?
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England, Scotland
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Where was rum smuggled to?
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America
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What are two places where rum was stored?
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Bimini, West End, Gun Cay
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How did prohibition effect the water system in
the Bahamas?
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A city water supply and sewerage system was built.
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Explain how the Family Islands were impacted by
prohibition.
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Family Islands became depopulated since persons
came to Nassau for jobs.
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Final Jeopardy
Make your wager
36
When did prohibition end?
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1932