What did the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s lead to?

The prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s, established by the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act, aimed to eliminate the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the United States. However, instead of curbing alcohol consumption, it inadvertently led to a significant increase in organized crime. Criminal organizations took advantage of the situation by illegally producing, distributing, and selling alcohol, which became known as bootlegging.

Gangsters and other criminal elements thrived in this underground economy, leading to violent turf wars and increased corruption within law enforcement and politics. Cities like Chicago became infamous for their gang-related violence, largely driven by the competition for control of the illegal alcohol trade. This era significantly changed the social landscape in America, as organized crime became a powerful force with substantial influence.

In contrast, the other options relate less directly to the consequences of prohibition or are not supported by the historical context. For example, factory production did not necessarily decrease due to prohibition, and while it may have impacted some industries, it did not lead to widespread job creation. Similarly, international relations were not a direct outcome of the prohibition movement, as the focus was primarily domestic, with prohibition influencing social and criminal dynamics within the U.S.