Prohibition & Bootlegging in
the Bahamas
By
Nestor Taylor 9T1
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.
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
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
Women’s 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Choose a category.
You will be given the question.
You must give the correct
answer.
Click to begin.
Click here for
Final
Jeopardy
PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS!!!
Prohibition
Benefits/
Side effects
Terms
Prohibition
Existence
Role of the
Bahamas
Smuggling
Process
10 Point
10 Point
10 Point
10 Point
10 Point
20 Points
20 Points
20 Points
20 Points
20 Points
What does
temperance
mean?
Total abstinence
from alcohol.
What is rum
running?
The illegal
transport of
transporting
alcohol across
water.
What caused the
Bahamas to take
part in illegal
trading?
Volstead Act
Which groups
caused the
Volstead Act to be
passed in
America?
Women’s
Temperance
Union & Anti
Saloon League
What role did the
Bahamas play in
prohibition and
bootlegging?
Transshipment
point
Which countries
did the rum come
from?
England, Scotland
Where was rum
smuggled to?
America
What are two
places where rum
was stored?
Bimini, West End,
Gun Cay
How did
prohibition effect
the water system
in the Bahamas?
A city water supply
and sewerage
system was built.
Explain how the
Family Islands
were impacted by
prohibition.
Family Islands
became
depopulated since
persons came to
Nassau for jobs.
Make your wager
When did
prohibition end?
1932