To help stimulate the economy, FDR eliminated the 21st Amendment or Prohibition in 1933, making alcohol legal again. Enacted in 1920 by President Warren Harding, the 21st Amendment was directly responsible for the rise of gang activity and crime, especially in Chicago and New York City. In fact, "mobsters" in the bootlegging industry controlled much of Chicago's city government until the early 1930s. Liquor manufacturers re-opened in 1934 to a society eager to drown their sorrows in a legal bottle of alcohol.

Savushkin / Getty Images
This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. The information on this Website is not intended to be comprehensive, nor does it constitute advice or our recommendation in any way. We attempt to ensure that the content is current and accurate but we do not guarantee its currency and accuracy. You should carry out your own research and/or seek your own advice before acting or relying on any of the information on this Website.