During the 1920s, the United States enjoyed a sustained period of economic prosperity. Dubbed the "Roaring '20s," it was an exciting time: cities were growing and the use of automobiles and airplanes became more widespread. There were new forms of popular media, like radio and movies, and new forms of music, like jazz; dance crazes swept through nightclubs, and sports like baseball and golf attracted many more fans. Business was booming, and people were employed.

The nation was not without difficulties during the "Roaring '20s," a period that generally dates from 1920 to 1928. Many rural areas did not enjoy economic prosperity, as farmers faced increasingly challenging market conditions that threatened their livelihood. Urban areas experienced sharp increases in crime. Prohibition—the ban on the manufacture and sale of alcohol—had been in effect since 1919, and criminals were...