I. Why organized crime became so prominent

II. Who helped organized crime to be so prominent

Organized Crime in the Early 20th Century

Organized crime has existed a long time before it became prominent in the United States. The mafia first began in Italy and Sicily, it then moved over to the United States to get away from prosecution. La Cosa Nostra as it is called in its homeland translates in as "Our Thing." The mafia was first started to protect the people of their country from government agencies and other groups that bring in trouble. In the 1920's organized crime began to affect American life in bigger ways than before. Al Capone and Charles "Lucky" Luciano are two major figures that helped organized crime become larger than it ever had been (Kirkholm). With prohibition just coming into effect, the gangsters were fighting even more for money and power.

Fox states, when prohibition came into effect, so did a new ma

rket for making money. This greatly affected organized crime for the next decade. Bootleggers became the sole source for liquor that was required by all the nightclubs to stay open. A lot of money is to be made in the bootlegging business. The producer of the liquor could make a seven million dollar profit in one year. A half barrel of beer cost the producer $2.50 to make and was sold to the clubs and speakeasies for $18.00 (Fox 23-4). When the mafia started to control most of this business, is when the surge of crime began. Everyone wanted control of the liquor trade. Not only did they want control of the liquor trade for money but also for power.

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Approximate Word count = 2044
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)