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Extremism & Intolerance, Prohibition and organized criminality
A well known example for spreading extremism at that time is the Ku - Klux - Klan. This terrorist organization, which in 1924/25 reached the climax of its negative impact with about 4 - 5 millions of members, now persecuted not only ethic, religious and
marginal groups, even intellectuals, people opposing prohibition and members of several workers' associations were marked men.
Race relations were severely strained in many parts of the country, leading to race - riots. Chicago erupted in what was called a "civil war" between blacks and whites in 1920, anti-Semitism and anti-immigrant attitudes were widespread. Labour disputes became increasingly violent, as many feared the Communism that had overtaken Russia would spread to America. And as a final blow, the 18th amendment was ratified by the necessary 36 states on January 16th, 1918.
This amendment introduced the Prohibition, where all transport, selling and producing alcohol was declared illegal. Prohibitionists had a clear expectation that the prohibition would reduce crime, poverty, death rates, improve the economy and solve social problems. However, in many cases the total opposite happened - the "bootlegging business" and organized criminality were booming.
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