An Overview of Alcatraz Island&

The Major World/US Events of 1935

Alcatraz Island and The World, 1935

Where is Alcatraz Island?

History of Alcatraz 1775: Island discovered by Spanish explorer Juan

Manuel de Ayala1847: US Army decides the island would make

an ideal military fortress1853: US Army begins to build military fortress

on island1861: Island is used to hold Civil War prisoners1898: prisoners of Spanish-American War are

held on the island 1906: After the San Francisco Earthquake,

hundreds of civilian prisoners are transferred to Alcatraz

1912: Large cell house is constructed on Alcatraz

History of Alcatraz1920s: Three-story cell house is nearly full

to capacity1934: Prison is remodeled and turned into a

US Federal Penitentiary1934: James A. Johnston is selected to

serve as Alcatraz’s first WardenAugust of 1934: the most notorious

prisoners from McNeil Island, the Federal Penitentiary of Atlanta, and Leavenworth were being sent to Alcatraz (including Al Capone)

Alcatraz FactsInfamous Inmates: Al Capone, George

“Machine Gun” Kelly, Henri Young, Robert “Birdman of Alcatraz” Stroud, Doc Barker, Floyd Hamilton, and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis

There were 14 known escape attempts from AlcatrazThere are no known “successful” escapes

from Alcatraz

The United States of 1935The US is in the midst of the Great Depression,

which began around 1929 (The Great Stock Market Crash)

During the Great Depression, many businesses closed and a large amount of Americans were unemployed

President Franklin Roosevelt opens the second phase of The New Deal in U.S., calling for social security, better housing, equitable taxation, and farm assistance. The New Deal was a reform program that went

through two phases—in 1935 the second phase, which focused on helping the worker, began.

The World of 1935—Germany During this time, Germany was becoming a

growing threat to the world. The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, was now in power.

In 1935, the Nazis reject the Versailles Treaty, the agreement that ended WWI, and introduce mandatory military service.

Nazis enact Nuremberg Laws against Jews to prevent "racial pollution.“ Jews lose citizenship and civil rights.

The Rest of the World, 1935Mussolini, the Fascist Dictator of Italy,

invades EthiopiaPersia becomes Iran under Reza Shah

Pahlevi.