Test 2- Crime in 20th C Canada

Question 1

Most Common forms of criminal actv. in Canada in 1920s

Answer 1

1. Drug distribution and abuse
2. Theft
3. Prostitution
4. Bootlegging

Question 2

Drug in 1920s

Answer 2

• Eg. Opium
  Drug abuse increased, + Vancouver and Mtl = Major distribution centers, home to organized gangs
  1923: estimation of ~ 10 000 drug addicts in Canada (+ B.C and QC)
• Fuelled other crimes (2-3 and smuggling)

Question 3

Theft in 1920s

Answer 3

• Car theft, + in Toronto and Mtl

Question 4

Prostitution in 1920s

Answer 4

-> Red-Light District of Montreal: Busy sector centered around St.Laurent and St. Catherine streets in Mtl
- Famous in interwar (1919-1939) for concentration of prostitution and brothels. Identifiable by red-lights signs

Question 5

Bootlegging in 1920s

Answer 5

Illegal production/distribution of liquor (widespread in North America) due to Prohibition
1920-1933 US prohibition of alcohol = smuggling, organized gans wars, shootings…
- Al Capone
- St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

Question 6

Al Capone

Answer 6

1889-1947
20th C American gangster/powerful crime boss in Chicago
Directed crime in bootlegging, smuggling… during prohibition
- Convicted of tax evasion in 1931

Question 7

St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

Answer 7

1929
Gangland killing of 7 Chicago Irish mobsters in 1929
Masterminded by Al Capone’s members
- Disguised as policemen
- No one brought to trial