Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

What did many people associate with the Eighteenth Amendment in America?

1. Increased tax revenue from alcohol sales

2. Creation of organized crime

3. Promotion of public safety through prohibition

4. Heightened levels of social drinking

The correct answer is: Creation of organized crime

The Eighteenth Amendment, which established Prohibition in the United States by banning the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, is most closely associated with the creation of organized crime. This connection arises because the prohibition of alcohol led to a significant underground market for its production and distribution. Criminal organizations across the country seized the opportunity to supply illicit alcohol, resulting in a rise in organized crime activities. Gangsters and mobsters became notorious for their involvement in bootlegging operations, leading to an increase in violence, corruption, and the expansion of criminal enterprises. The demand for alcohol did not dissipate with Prohibition; rather, it spurred illegal operations that thrived in the shadows of the law. This era saw the emergence of infamous figures such as Al Capone, highlighting the significant intertwining of prohibition laws with the criminal underworld. Thus, the Eighteenth Amendment is fundamentally linked to this dark chapter in American history, illustrating how attempts to legislate personal behavior can have unintended and far-reaching consequences.