The decade immediately following The Great War, coined "The Roaring Twenties" for its period of vivacity and decadence, marked one of this country's most indulging times in its young history. Despite all the superficial glory, organized crime was detrimental to the purity of America; a catalyst for murder, sex trafficking, and many other illegal activities detrimental to society. The government had begun to realize that alcohol had many negative effects on the people of the U.S. Men were more abusive to their wives while inebriated, intoxicated people became more involved in antisocial or criminal behavior, fights, vandalism or theft, and impaired judgment. These activities would be difficult to stopper, as "prohibition created the ideal setting for the growth of organized crime" (Ciment, James, and Rembis 150). Because alcohol was a popular way to party and escape from these troubling times, the entire generation swiftly became addicted. Once the government revoked this vice from the people, many took up arms and took up bottles, illegal or not. .
While Prohibition was a major factor for the starting of organized crime, there were many other satellite causes. The growth of major cities allowed the organized crime to flourish and, "make the provision of prostitution, gambling, and illicit drugs a profitable enterprise" (galegroup.com). Each city's local gang was able to supply the needs of such a large population of people confined to such a small area. Large scale immigration also contributed to the growth of cities and brought in large numbers of people from cultures where underground and illegal economies flourished. Moreover, many of the new "immigrants were impoverished, discriminated against by mainstream American society, and ambitions-a combination that led some to seek illegitimate paths to the American dream of Social mobility and economic success" (galegroup.
