The 1920’s Prohibition Era, an era ruled by the gangster’s and murderers on the streets, but what could have ignited the fire that still dwindles onward today? To answer this first, one must look at the Prohibition Era itself, and it’s purpose. The ban on alcohol was created intentionally as an intervention to stop America’s alcoholism. Not only did the plan not work, alcohol consumption levels rose, and more importantly, organized crime began to surface. For the first time, America began to experience bank robberies, gangs, and gang related murders and crimes. A forest fire was raging across America’s unblemished face. From what these gangsters started, modern day crimes have adopted for themselves, adding their own twists. But the original “Al-Capone-John Dillinger” style of crime still bleeds into modern day from the burn marks they have left. Furthermore, the failed intentions of the Prohibition Era started the golden age of crime, which still burns on today.
Organized Crime Begins
The Prohibition Act was in fact successful in reducing the amount of alcohol consumed by the public, it, however stimulated a uproar of organized criminal activity. When the outlaw of alcohol was intended to reduce criminal activity, it spawned rampant gangland and underground crime, much the public's dismay. Gangsters everywhere, especially those associated with the Chicago Outfit, led under the prosperous Al Capone, took advantage of prohibition by bootlegging alcohol at a maximum price. It was prohibition that gave organized crime like the modern American Mafia, the first big chance to make it big in the crime business.