ipl-logo

How Did Al Capone Contribute To The Rise Of Organized Crime

646 Words3 Pages

The 1920s was a decade of prosperity, jazz bands, bootleggers, raccoon coats, flappers and marathon dancers. It was also the first decade in history to have a nickname: “The Roaring 20s" or "Jazz Age." During the 1920s, Crime was not like it is today. Gangs and mobs didn’t occur as often in the 20th century as they do today in the 21st. This is one of the very reasons why Alphonse "Al" Gabriel Capone became known as the definer and one of the most recognizable figures in the history of organized crime in the U.S.
Trouble started for Alphonse Capone around the age of 13 or 14 just after he quit the seventh grade. He became a member of the junior branch in a notorious gang called the Five Point Juniors. Thus into the criminal world Capone …show more content…

Prohibition began in 1920 and this market was viewed as a growth industry by Capone. He capitalized on the sale and distribution of illegal alcohol which added millions together with the businesses of prostitution and gambling. Soon Capone’s illegal brewing business idea spread throughout the mob community. Though the importance of Al Capone’s brewing business may not seem clear, his idea made way for a rise in criminal activity. The 18th Amendment went exactly the way leaders and law enforcement didn't want it to go. With the installment of the new amendment, criminals for the first time began to illegally distribute alcohol on a nationwide basis. The number of syndicates bloomed. Bootlegging, brewing moonshine, and smuggling thrived, and although even some leaders of law enforcement faced criminal charges, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover denied the existence of organized crime.
It was in this era that crime began to seem an everyday occurrence. In fact, criminals even controlled most businesses that were in our everyday life. Organized criminals started to run a majority of entertainment venues all throughout the era. Gangsters controlled the hottest clubs such as Harlem's Cotton Club, and Eighteenth Streets jazz joints. Musical greats such as Duke Ellington and even Louis Armstrong were guided by Mob-connected managers. Mobsters also made their

Show More
Related

  • How Did Al Capone Impact Chicago

    1238 Words  | 5 Pages

    “Prohibition, which was ratified as the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 1919. Illegalizing the production, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages- all of which were corollaries to the amendment- did not curb the desire of Chicagoans for liquor or beer”(University of Michigan 1). The Prohibition clearly didn’t strike well with the people of Chicago as many disapproved of the amendment, one of those being Al Capone. Al Capone, who grew up in New York moved to Chicago with Torrio and his gang in 1909 right before the 18th amendment was created and enforced. He was a very feared and dominant gangster as his nickname was “Scarface” after being slashed in the face in a fight at a hotel in 1917.

    Read More

  • Prohibitio Prohibition Dbq Essay

    579 Words  | 3 Pages

    This was around the time the prohibition law was passed. Prohibition made criminals out of everyday Americans. Criminals were profiting from Prohibition and the government was unable to enforce the law. This contributed to the repealing of the 18th

    Read More

  • Institutionalized Criminals Of The 1920s

    1053 Words  | 5 Pages

    The 1920s was a time of prosperity in America; the stock market was skyrocketing, the Great War was over and America seemed to turn the corner onto a new, prosperous age. Not only were stock investors and white collar workers experiencing a great flow of wealth, gangsters and criminals were also experiencing a great cash flow. After the Eighteenth Amendment went into effect, it was immediately exploited by gangsters who had already began to think about the business opportunity that the United States government unintentionally provided to them. Despite their many negative impacts on society, criminal organizations in America during the 1920’s personified the american dream because of their exploitation of a unique business opportunity, they adapted their business to make it more efficient and they were able to gain financial prosperity while doing so.

    Read More

  • How Did Al Capone Contribute To The Rise Of Prohibition

    1314 Words  | 6 Pages

    When someone thinks about the prohibition they don't become happy and joyous because that time period wasn't either. It was filled with depression, sorrow, and was just full of atrocious behavior. There were gangs, bootlegging operations, and illicit activity that was just allowed and grew tremendously with great leadership (“Prohibition”). It was the rise of the Crime Czars in Chicago and on the northern part of the country that really took control. These gangsters used their influential carefree personalities and practically ran the nation (“Al”).

    Read More

  • Al Capone During The 1920's Crime

    984 Words  | 4 Pages

    During the 1920’s crime was at an all time high in Chicago due to prohibition and turf wars between rival gangs. One of the most famous gangsters during this time period was Alphonse “Al” Capone. Born in Brooklyn, New York to two poor immigrant parents on January 17, 1899 he grew up being active in two different kid gangs, the Brooklyn Rippers and the Forty Thieves Juniors. When he got older he started working at different jobs in a candy store, a cutter in a book bindery and a pin boy in a bowling alley.(Chicagohs) When he was a teenager he was recruited by a famous gangster named Johnny Torrio.

    Read More

  • How Did Al Capone Influence Crime

    1200 Words  | 5 Pages

    Alphonse Capone was most notoriously known for being the head of a profitable crime syndicate known as the “Chicago Outfits” during the prohibition era in the 1920’s. Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1899. It was the acquaintances he met in Brooklyn that would contribute immensely to his future business operations. Capone eventually made Brooklyn his stomping grounds for the beginning of a life in crime. As a teenager, he left school early after an incident and never returned and it was around this time that Capone was introduced to Johnny Torrio, one of the most successful gangsters on the East Coast of America who would later prove to be Capone’s biggest influence in his life of crime.

    Read More

  • Was Al Capone An American Gangsters In The 1920s

    645 Words  | 3 Pages

    Capone took charge of the illegal brewerie business and transportation. With the law on Capones side he began to use more violence to increase revenue. Capone was apart of the the Saint Valentines Massacre to kill the north side gang to reclaim his peace and keep peace throughout other gangs. Al Capone was one of the smartest, violent, organized criminals of this

    Read More

  • Al Capon Research Paper

    602 Words  | 3 Pages

    Under Torino's guidance, Capone rose through the ranks and became known as a ruthless enforcer for the gang. He was involved in many crimes ranging from bootlegging to prostitution. In 1920, the prohibition was set in place and a new business venture was opened for Al Capone. He began bootlegging and quickly became known as one of the most powerful bootleggers in Chicago.

    Read More

  • Al Capone Research Papers

    1417 Words  | 6 Pages

    Al Capone In the days of the Great Depression and Prohibition, there was a gangster who would become one of the most notorious in history. This man grew from a poor upbringing in New York to become feared and respected in the streets of Chicago. Unable to arrest him for his mob crimes, the President and FBI joined forces and had to settle for charging him with tax evasion. This man’s name was Al Capone.

    Read More

  • Prohibition's Failure Essay

    462 Words  | 2 Pages

    These people were the major crime bosses of New York, Chicago, Atlantic City, and L.A. The crime bosses and their mafias used this money to fuel other illegal ventures. Crime grew exponentially. The mobsters of Chicago, Detroit, and New York City all found ways to traffic banned items during prohibition to grow their mobs. The Chicago Mafia alone earned an estimated 4,000,000 dollars a year on average during prohibition. Police and the government officials relied on the mob for alcohol.

    Read More

  • Al Capone's Gang Related Crime

    961 Words  | 4 Pages

    During the 1920’s gang related crime was a serious issue. The leader of all this violence and corruption was a man named Al “Scarface” Capone (“Al Capone”). This organized crime, dehumanization, and corruption, became the ultimate image of Chicago for people throughout the world. He was largely immersed in things like gambling, prostitution, and the illegal sale of liquor. He was not convicted for any of his crimes, even the St. Valentine's Day massacre of 1929, until he was imprisoned for tax evasion (Horan).

    Read More

  • How Did Al Capone Influence Chicago

    1318 Words  | 6 Pages

    Al Capone Al Capone, a mob boss. In 1920s the mob was at its peak. The mob made alcohol, had prostitutes and gambled during the prohibition. The prohibition was when the 18th amendment was passed, the 18th amendment banned alcohol in the United States. Capone was one of the more well known mob bosses.

    Read More

  • Al Capone Research Paper

    582 Words  | 3 Pages

    Al Capone was one of the most notorious gangsters of the first half of the 20th century. Based mainly in Chicago, Capone made hundreds of millions of dollars in various illegal businesses such as bootlegging, gambling, prostitution, racketeering, and various other mob activities. Although also a philanthropist, Capone was a ruthless killer who believed in eliminating his competition. A true understanding of this crime czar’s career can be gained from studying his beginnings after sixth grade in New York, his relocation to Chicago, the growth of his empire, his arrests, and prison time, and his deathbed in Florida. Beginnings Mr. Capone started his career in violence at a very young age.

    Read More

  • Al Capone Accomplishments

    970 Words  | 4 Pages

    During the early 1900’s American cities was already riddled with criminals who were taking advantage of illegal gambling and prostitution. When prohibition of alcohol went into effect due to the 18th amendment it created a perfect storm for many gangsters to capitalize on a new illegal industry. Although the country would eventually do away with prohibition there was still an ample amount of time for criminals to rise to become some of the most powerful individuals in the country. The crime boss Al Capone was one of the most infamous mafia leaders in American history. During his younger years he was nothing more than a typical Italian immigrant but as he got older he began to take up a life of crime.

    Read More

  • How Did Al Capone Contribute To The Rise Of Prohibition

    516 Words  | 3 Pages

    Capone was the most powerful gangster of his time, a very smart one. Capone is in many ways like Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, they both are smart and know how to not get caught in there illegal business. Jay was involved in the bootlegging business for a short time, he owned a drug store where the illegal drinks were sold by his trusted business partner Meyer Wolfshiem. Capone established himself in Chicago, he rose to notoriety. Capone wasn’t known to the public as a scary gangster but a “ Robin Hood of his time” he would regularly donate to charity and other organizations.

    Read More

More about How Did Al Capone Contribute To The Rise Of Organized Crime

Open Document