How Did Al Capone Influence Organized Crime

The Capone Effect The rise of organized crime across the United States is very alerting to not only to law enforcement, but to the everyday citizen as well. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation the amount of violent crimes each year has steadily increased since the early 1920’s. The figure head for organized crime during the 20’s is none other than Al Capone, who for many is a household name. Al Capone undoubtedly influenced organized crime, bootlegging and the persona of an American gangster not only in the 1920’s but today as well. Al Capone was born in 1899, in Brooklyn, New York. Capone was born into a poor immigrant family living well below the poverty level with little education. His early years were spent attending a

The organized crime scene at the time consisted of illegal gambling, prostitution and money laundering. Even through Capone was heavily involved in the organized crime scene, records show he was legally employed throughout this time period (history.com, 2004). Later in 1909, Johnny Torrio left Brooklyn for Chicago and Capone was left in-charge of the organized crime operations. Torrio and Capone stayed in close touch over the course of the next 10 years. In 1920 Al’s father passed away due to a massive heart attack and Torrio asked Capone to join him in Chicago. Al jumped at the opportunity and moved his family to the

There were many other “mobs” or “gangs” that took their shot at the huge bootlegging market, resulting in what many would call the most violent turf war of all time. The other prominent group in Chicago was ran by a man known as “bugs” Moran. Moran and Capone had been competing for months over the majority control of the Chicago bootlegging scene, when Capone ordered one of the most gruesome hits in U.S history. On February 14, 1929, 5 of Capone’s men disguised as police offices lined Moran’s men up against an alley wall. While pretending to search the men, 3 more of Capone’s men arrived with Tommy machine guns and murdered them in brutal fashion. This event would come to be known as the “St. Valentine's Day