Bootlegging refers to the illegal production and distribution of alcohol during the Prohibition era in the United States, which lasted from 1920 to 1933. Bootleggers smuggled alcohol into the country or produced it illegally, leading to the rise of organized crime as criminal organizations saw an opportunity for profit. These criminal organizations, such as the Mafia, became increasingly powerful and influential during Prohibition, establishing networks of illegal operations that extended beyond alcohol distribution. The profits from bootlegging helped fuel the growth of organized crime syndicates and solidified their presence in American society.
