Overview
1.Preface
2.Introduction
3.Main Part
4.Conclusion
5.Definitions
6.Sources
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| 1. Preface |
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| Going back to school after the summer vacation '99, I found myself confronted with the choice of a topic for a term paper. I hadn't had absolutely any clue what to write about. |
| Since I have spent one year in America, I wanted to write my work in English to stay in practice with my favorite language. In my year abroad I learned about the US history and therefore I tried to find a historical topic. First I thought to write my research paper about the mafia in America. I always wanted to know more about characters like Al Capone and how it was even possible to organize such big crime-gangs in a progressive country like the United States of America. But my supervisor, Mr. Gujer, dissuade me from my purpose, since the topic of the American mafia is just too extensive. He recommended instead a related subject; the roots of the American mafia: the alcohol prohibition in America during 1920 and 1933. The 18th amendment, also known as the Volstead Act, was the origin that made it possible for criminality to take over the big American cities. |
| In my research paper, I try to cover some of this big theme that marked an important era in American history. I focused on the reasons how Prohibition was enforced in my introduction and the main part covers the effects of Prohibition. I also included a part of my original topic, the mafia, by telling the story of its most notable representative, the biggest mafioso America has ever seen, Al Capone. |
By this chance, I would also like to thank my supervisor, Mr. Gujer, for the friendly support and help on my researches.
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| | Daniel Schmidli |
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