Why should new American citizens learn about this event? Well, the ban brought many events and ideas into our history. It showed how important something can be to a country. Alcohol was banned in America between 1920 and 1933. This was a time of celebration and happy times. World War I was over and many veterans returned home. Many rations were withdrawn and food was no longer sent abroad. America had plenty of things and people saw this as a sign of relief. It is important because it showed how organized crime can be a big problem for a country. America is one of the victorious teams of the First World War. Many troops came home and we stopped all rations in America. It was a moment of celebration and fun. As if drinking is a social thing to do at parties these days. When the soldiers returned home, the more they celebrated, the more they drank. People began to see the effects of alcohol, so a group of people formed a movement called the Temperance Movement. The Temperance movement blamed alcohol for many of society's ills, particularly crime and murder. Saloons, a social refuge for men living in the still-wild West, were seen by many, especially women, as a place of debauchery and wickedness. (history1900s.about.com) By 1916 many states had banned alcohol and the US government recognized this and initiated an amendment to ban all forms of alcohol consumption in the United States. The amendment would be the 18th Amendment which would stop the sale and production of alcohol. This amendment went into effect on January 16, 1920. Now alcohol is illegal everywhere you go in America. Some people in America were smart and found some loopholes in the 18th Amendment. People who bought legal alcohol before the ban c...... middle of paper ......and some good stuff came along too. So throughout we learned the effects of organized crime and how crime can be a big problem. Now my essay is coming to an end and I have shown you the history of prohibition and its effects on the United States. My primary sources have shown you that Prohibition was a turning point in our history where organized crime is at the forefront of our country's culture. It shows us that even if we try to regulate something by banning it in our country, it shows how we as people will do anything to get what we want or need. So even if you illegalize something, there will always be someone who will sell it and make a profit. So Prohibition led to organizing crime, but it also led to organizing to stop those criminal groups. As an American it is always a good idea to know our history, learn our laws and our culture.