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Flappers
Flappers
Women received the right to vote in 1919 and with that right, received a new found focus. Prior to the passage of the 19th Amendment, women were mostly unseen. After 1919, women began to emerge as prominent members of society. Young women who began to exert their femininity within a male dominated society were called "flappers." This is essentially the start of the women's rights movement.
Speakeasy
Speakeasy
The 18th amendment was essentially ignored even though it had good intentions. It was believed that alcohol was the cause of most problems and it was certainly a problem that needed addressed. However, the amendment had far too many unintended consequences one of which was the speakeasy - illegal bars that served alcohol openly - defying the amendment. There were some arrests and enforcement of the law, but policy found that true enforcement was overwhelming.
Bootlegging
Bootlegging
When there is a demand for a product, there will always be those who supply what is demanded. When alcohol was deemed illegal, an unintended consequence was the rise of organized crime. People like Johnny Torrio, Charles O'Banion, Charles "Lucky" Luciano, Alan Rothstein, and the most notorious, Al Capone (pictured) provided the supply of alcohol to most of America. They were bootleggers - they imported alcohol to the US and sold it to the population. They made millions but they were also criminals and the competition between bootleggers became terribly violent - especially in Chicago, New York, and Atlantic City, NJ. Thus, because of the 18th amendment, crime increased where it was supposed to decrease.
Prohibition led to Organized Crime
Before Prohibition, most crime was local and petty. Because the corporate structure of alcohol was eliminated after the 18th Amendment, the crime structure took hold. Gangs across the US began to work together in distributing alcohol. But when their agreements broke down, there was no legal system to settle disputes so violence occurred - often - especially Chicago. On February 14, 1929, Al Capone planned the St. Valentine's Day Massacre - although no one was ever charged in the crime.
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