Prohibition and Al Capone - 858 Words

Out of the turmoil and the collapse of law and order in the 1920’s, perhaps the most recognized figure to emerge from the time is Al Capone. â€Å"The New York Times said of Al Capone that he was the symbol of a shameful era, the monstrous symptom of a disease which was eating into the conscience of America. Looking back on it now, this period of Prohibition in full, ugly flower seems fantastically incredible. Capone himself was incredible, the creation of an ugly dream.† (www.umich.edu) He impacted society through his ruthless tactics, secret alliances, and penetrant for violence typified by the St. Valentine’s Day massacre. Capone controlled many businesses in Chicago such as speakeasies, gambling houses, brothels, horse and race tracks, etc. at an approximated income of $100,000,000 a year. For several years, Al Capone was never convicted for the crimes he committed, and when he did, he had an alibi or there was never sufficient evidence against him. Al Cap one had more power in society than most of the political leaders did during that time period. It took Al Capone his whole life to achieve the power he had in the Roaring 20’s. Alphonsus Capone, best known as Al Capone, was born on January 17, 1899 in Brooklyn New York. At the age of fourteen, he dropped out of school and became a member of the Five Point Gang in Manhattan. He started to work at a Brooklyn bar called the Harvard Inn, and this is when Al Capone received his nickname â€Å"Scarface† after being in a fight.Show MoreRelatedThe life and accomplishments of Al Capone during the prohibition era in the 1920s.2535 Words   |  11 PagesDuring the prohibition era of the 1920s, if one wasnt an enemy of Alphonse (Al) Scarface Capone, was he, in many eyes, a hero? Due to his savvy street smarts and the corrupt rebellion of the decade, Al Capone was not only a popular commentary of the time, but is now a legend. His classic boy from the ghetto turned generous multi- millionaire story only adds to the heroism seen in this most famous Chicago mobster. Chicagos industries, open spaces and four seasons were an enormous magnet for theRead More Al Capone and Probation Essay1252 Words   |  6 Pages Al Capone is the single greatest symbol of collapse of law and order in the United States during the Prohibition Era. The act of Prohibition brought power to Al Capone, which he used to expand his organized crime activities into a stranglehold over the city of Chicago. Liquor trade became very profitable during Prohibition, and the struggle for control over the bootleg empire erupted into a full-scale war between rival gangs in Chicago. Capone gradually came to symbolize all the criminal evils ofRead MoreAl Capone And The St. Valentines Day Massacre1337 Words   |  6 Pageskilled in a warehouse loading zone in Chicago, USA climaxing a huge rivalry between the North Side Gang and Al Capone’s. Capone was one of the most dominant and well-known gan gsters during the Prohibition Era, ranging between 1920 and 1933. Prohibition in Chicago was huge, many people wanted to go out for a drink and have a good time after work but the 18th amendment said otherwise. Capone thought he could take this situation into his own hands by bootlegging beer and liquor throughout Chicago, butRead MoreAmericas Reaction to the Eighteenth Ammendment779 Words   |  4 Pagesalcohol. Many of these bootleggers became very rich and influential through selling alcohol, gambling and using other methods. The prohibition era allowed for organized crime to flourish and these practices are still used today. Thus, Prohibition led to the rapid growth of organized crime. The public reaction to the introduction of Prohibition was largely mixed. The prohibition era was thought of to be the end of alcohol in America and which would spark a new and greater society in America. People believedRead MoreAl Capone : The Ruthless Gangster1222 Words   |  5 PagesAl Capone is widely known as the most ruthless gangster in the United States due to his involvement in violence due to the illegalization of the distribution and consumption of alcohol, the Prohibition Act. Most of Capone’s profits came from his disobedience to the act which was successful due to the few tactics he utilized. Throughout the 1920s, Capone was known for being a successful criminal and almost made Prohibition nonexistent. Capone is credited for most of the illegal distribution of alcoholRead MoreProhibition and United States Society in 1920s Essay798 Words   |  4 PagesProhibition and United States Society in 1920s Prohibition was the legal ban on the manufacture and sale of alcohol. It was introduced in 1919 and was viewed as the answer to many of Americas problems. It was thought that the end of alcohol in America would spark a new and greater society in America. People believed that it would reduce crime, drunkenness, violence and that it would reduce families in poverty because the men would not go out spending all the moneyRead MoreProhibition Led to the Rapid Growth of Organized Crime1419 Words   |  6 PagesProhibition Led to the Rapid Growth of Organized Crime Prohibition was a period in which the sale, manufacture, or transport of alcoholic beverages became illegal. It started January 16, 1919 and continued to December 5, 1933. Although it was designed to stop drinking completely, it did not even come close. It simply created a large number of bootleggers who were able to supply the public with illegal alcohol. Many of these bootleggers became very rich and influential through selling alcoholRead MoreThe Prohibiton Era1616 Words   |  7 PagesThe Prohibition Era The 1920’s was a huge, significant time for the United States. One of the most important parts of this time is the Prohibition Era. What is Prohibition? Prohibition is defined as the banning of alcohol use. On July 22nd 1919, this idea was put into action using the 18th amendment. The 18th amendment forbade the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcohol (Lapsanky-Werner 229). This amendment was enforced by the Volstead Act, named after Andrew Volstead. This act was not veryRead MoreGet Capone: the Rise and Fall of America’s Most Wanted Gangster1696 Words   |  7 PagesGet Capone: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Wanted Gangster Al Capone. Everyone is bound to hear the name at least once in his or her life. The charming, broad smile, the greenish gray eyes, heavy set, and five foot ten and a half; a seemingly normal man. Until someone notices the scars. A faded purple, still fresh looking, Al Capone’s scars marred the normal face, they gave a glance into the life of the notorious gangster. But who was Mr. Alphonse â€Å"Scarface† Capone? One reporter comments,Read MoreEssay about The Notorious Al Capone1406 Words   |  6 Pagesas the prohibition era entrenched a network of organized crime with some of the most notorious minds and of these included the most well-known, Al Capone. Capone began to take over the Chicago area in 1925 as a young bartender and eventually controlling the criminal network. From bootlegging and racketeering, Al Capone became one of the most influential gangsters in history with control over the judicial and political powers that would soon come to an end as quickly as it started. Capone saw the