The year 1919 was significant in world history, marking the end of World War I with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. This treaty imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany, reshaping the political landscape of Europe and setting the stage for future conflicts. In the United States, 1919 was notable for the beginning of Prohibition, a nationwide ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol. This period led to the rise of illegal speakeasies and organized crime, fundamentally changing American society and culture during the Roaring Twenties.