Al Capone and the Evolution of Organized Crime

1506 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social factors causing criminal behavior

Countless things have been written about Al Capone were merely fictitious, such as he was born in Italy, when actually he was the first Capone to be born in the United States. When Gabriele Capone came to the United States, he owed no one and was able to read and write in his homeland language. This helped him to get a job and work until he could save enough money to open his own barbershop. He brought with him his 27-year-old wife, Teresa and their two sons, Vincenzo Capone and Rafaele Capone. Later another son, Salvatore Capone was born in 1895, finally the fourth son born in 1899 was Alphonse Capone. Later in 1906 when Gabreile became an American Citizen, all of the family took American names. Vincenzo became James, Rafaele became Ralph, and Alphonse became Al. Later children were John, Albert John, Matthew Nicholas, and Rose. With this large loving family, what made Alphonse become a major figure in Organized Crime? Was he a child who was abused by adults? Was some genetic strain of violence passed on to the child before he was born? No he was not, the Capone family was a quiet conventional family. Al Capone did very well in school until the sixth grade when he lost his temper and hit the teacher and she hit him back, resulting in Al being expelled from school. Al was never going to go back to school again.

At this time his father moved his family to Garfield Place where Al was to meet two of the people who would have a huge impact on his life, his future wife, Mae and the gangster Johnny Torrio. Johnny Torrio was a pioneer in the development of the modern Criminal Enterprise. He transformed racketeering into a type of corporate structure and Johnny Torrio taught young Al very valuable lessons that he would neve...

... middle of paper ...

... organized endeavor. Then laws changed and much of what Al Capone did was no longer illegal therefore, taking away the ability to make money.

The laws have changed so much since Al Capone died, if Al Capone were alive today in the same business, he would not be caught even for tax evasion, too many loopholes in the law to protect the people with the money. He would be able to have lawyers to protect him and take the law and make everything that he was doing in the 1920’s legal and not spend any time in prison.

REFERENCES

Fisher, K. & M. (2000) Alphonse Scarface Capone, Retrieved on November 14th, 2008 from

http://www.carpenoctem.tv/mafia/acapone.html

Al Capone, n.d., Retrieved on November 14th, 2008 from

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAcapone.htm

Al Capone and Organized Crime in the 1920’s, n.d., Retrieved on November 14th, 2008

Show More
Related

  • Assess The View That The Policy Of National Prohibition Case Study

    1972 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sandbrook is incorrect to remark that from the moment the Volstead Act came into effect, America’s National gangsters saw it as a business opportunity. This is because the early years of Prohibition were years where enforcement was particularly strict, which made the distribution of alcohol very risky. Yet regardless, by far criminals who had the most to gain were gangsters such as Al Capone, who made $100 million a year from speakeasies and casinos alone. Violence played a large role in organised crimes during the years of Prohibition, with an increase in burglary, theft and battery assaults by a total of 22%. There were also wars between gangsters over each other’s territory, and the most famous act of violence during the years of Prohibition came from Capone’s army of 700 gangsters, who committed over 300 murders in Chicago. Willoughby points out that although organised crime existed in the years before and after Prohibition, it was “albeit on a smaller scale.” This is convincing as the affluence that the twenties created, along with demands for alcohol provided alternative opportunities for organised crime. Arguably, Clements acknowledges that even after the repeal of Prohibition, the wealth that corrupted illegal organisations accumulated made them turn to other areas where they could make a vast amount of profit, such as prostitution, gambling and drugs. Certainly,

    Read More

  • The Sources of Al Capone's Power

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    Al Capone’s family came with a wave of other Italian immigrants that migrated to the United States in the 1800’s. Most immigrants in that time were living in poverty and in very urban areas. Capone’s family lived in the heart of Brooklyn, but his father was a successful barber which allowed them a slightly better lifestyle than most. Al Capone was the fourth of nine children and grew up with a very tight-knit Italian family who were trying to succeed in their new country”. Capone attended public school in the city and had a natural brightness by keeping a “B average” despite playing hooky on many occasions. The sixth grade showcased Capone’s short temper when he hit a female teacher who was lecturing him. This incident reveals the beginning of who Al Capone would come to be. After being suspended for his violence, he never officially furthered his education. He began his life of crime by joining the kid gangs that existed all over Brooklyn. These “gangs” were nothing more than children being hoodlums and participating in petty crimes, although they would be the ...

    Read More

  • How Did Al Capone Influence Organized Crime

    1139 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gangster Al Capone played a significant role during the Prohibition era by revolutionizing whiskey bootlegging, becoming America’s most notorious mobster by controlling his business through manipulation and fear, and paving a pathway that many crime organizations follow today. Al “Scarface” Capone was born in a poor Brooklyn tenement on January 17th, 1899 to Theresa and Gabriele Capone, who had immigrated from Italy. Not only did Al Capone play an infamous role within his time period, but he also left a lasting legacy behind him. His lifestyle proved to have a vital impact on the justice system and organized crime scene of today.

    Read More

  • Alphonse Gabriel Capone And The Bootlegger In American History

    760 Words  | 2 Pages

    Alphonse Gabriel Capone was the most notorious bootlegger in American History. He was born on January 17, 1899 and died of a heart attack on January 25, 1947. Capone grew up in Brooklyn and became a member of the Five Points Gang. During a street fight he had received a scar on his face that gave him the nickname “Scarface”. Capone quickly moves up the ranks in the mafia world, often noticed for his toughness, in 1919 he grabbed the attention of mobster John Torrio of Chicago. Capone was promoted to bodyguard of the mob boss James Colosimo. When Capone moved to Chicago, bootlegging was just starting to blow up. These bootleggers pounced on the opportunity to completely control the business of making, importing, and distributing alcohol and all alcohol products. Alcohol wasn't the only flourishing industry for the the mob, they also did trade in

    Read More

  • Al Capone Thesis Statement

    658 Words  | 2 Pages

    Al Capone is known as a ruthless gangster who dominated Chicago in the roaring 20’s. This essay will carry the reader through a glimpse into Al Capone’s history, from his early life, his career and how he impacted American history.

    Read More

  • Al Capone Thesis Statement

    1357 Words  | 3 Pages

    town. This is where he would meet his wife, Mae and gangster Johnny Torrio. Al was

    Read More

  • Politics of Prohibition: Helpful Or Harmful To American Society?

    1407 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...s. Was Capone fully to blame for the violence that plagued his life? Or was he adapting to the times in which he lived? Maybe he was a man who believed in self-defense in a cruel time where he was just as likely to be killed by an opposing bootlegger. In several interviews, he spoke of peace. He asked for peace from other men that challenged him. Some might even call him generous. Whatever Al Capone was, there was one type of person that he believed to be truely evil. In the words of Capone, "There's one thing worse than a crook, I think...and that's a crooked man in a big political job. A man who pretends he is enforcing the law and is really making dough by breaking it. Even a self-respecting hoodlum hasn't any use for that kind of fella..he buys them like he'd buy any other article necessary to his trade. But he hates them in his heart," (Blumenthal 102).

    Read More

  • Saint Valentines Day Massacre

    1185 Words  | 3 Pages

    The 1920's was a time of Prohibition, Illegal Gambling, and Prostitution. The 18th amendment made the sale and distribution of alcohol illegal. Many people, including Al Capone, were involved in those illegal activities. Al Capone is notorious for this illegal activity. He got rich by manufacturing and distributing alcohol.

    Read More

  • Prohibition: Al Capone

    1960 Words  | 4 Pages

    Prohibition was the creation of bootlegging and gang wars that would make up the roots of the 1920’s. One of the most known gangsters in American History, Al Capone, was the most powerful gang or mob leader in his era. Capone was the roots of organized crime in Chicago area from the mid 20’s to the early 30’s. Al grew up in the 20’s in Chicago. In his younger days, he joined the James Street Gang whose leader was Johnny Torrio. In the year 1920, Johnny asked Al Capone to join his uncle in Chicago who had control of the city’s largest prostitute and gambling circuit. Capone ended up being a big fan of that idea. In the later months of 1920 the Prohibition act was passed into effect and Al Capone decided his next money maker was bootlegging illegal

    Read More

  • Al Capone

    887 Words  | 2 Pages

    Al Capone, America’s most prominent Mafia figure in the 1920’s, also known as “Scarface” for a scar running down his left cheek. Capone didn’t hide in the shadows like most figures in such a shady occupation. He didn’t shy away from the camera, more like he welcomed it, and aimed to be seen by the public as a respectable businessman and a pillar of the community. Surprisingly, Capone wasn’t from a distinctly poor community, his father earned a living as a barber. Capone was introduced to the gang life by a friend and from there it all went downhill and into the life of a gangster.

    Read More

  • History Of Al Capone

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    On january 17, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York, Alphonso Caponi "Scarface" was born. Al attended school till the sixth grade, at which point he horrifically beat his teacher up. He taught himself at a young age that the main purpose of life was to acquire power and wealth. Al began to participate in criminal activities as a way of achieving success in what he saw as an unjust society. Johnny Torrio, a ganster that gave Al a job in a gang and knew Al did not mind violence and often had him beat up people who were unable to repay loans. During a fight in a bar Al was taughting a woman and received a razor cut on his cheek by the woman boyfriend, which gained him the nickname "Scarface." Johnny Torrio moved to Chicago in 1909 to help run the giant

    Read More

  • The Rise And Fall Of Al Capone

    2064 Words  | 5 Pages

    Alphonse Capone was born on January 17, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York to Gabriele and Teresina Capone. He grew up in a rough neighborhood and was a member of two gangs; the Brooklyn Rippers and the Forty Thieves Juniors. Alphonse did well at school until the 6th grade when he was expelled for retaliating against a teacher who hit him. He was fourteen at the time. He became part of the Five Points gang in Manhattan and worked in gangster Frankie Yale's bar, the Harvard Inn, as a bouncer and bartender. While working at the Inn one night, local gangster Frank Gallucio was drinking with his sister at the Harvard Inn. Capone approached the girl to compliment her, and Gallucio took offense to him started a fight. Gallucio pulled a knife and cut Capone's face three times. That is how "Scarface" came to be.

    Read More

  • The life of Al Capone

    1241 Words  | 3 Pages

    Al Capone was one of the most known of all of the gangsters. He was one of the biggest gangsters in the underworld of chicago. Al capone was a sharp dresser a classy gentleman. Capone was the best at what he did. capone originally liyed in naples which is in italy .

    Read More

  • Biography of Al Capone

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    Al Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 17,1899. He was the fourth of seven sons and two daughters. His parents, Gabriel and Theresa, were one of thousands of Italians who arrived in New York in 1894 for a better living. The early Capone was slashed with a knife across his left cheek by a young hoodlum in a restaurant , For harassing a woman, prompting the later nickname ‘’Scarface.’’Then Capone met a gangster named Johnny Torrio, who taught Capone how to build a corporate empire. Torrio moved from New York to Chicago in 1909 to help run a giant brothel business. In 1919 Capone joined Torrio’s James Street Boys gang in Chicago, Where he had become an Influential Lieutenant in the Colosimo mob. In 1925, Al Capone became boss when Torrio was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt, surrendered control and retired to Brooklyn. As Prohibition began, New bootlegging operations opened up and drew in immense wealth. Capone started running gambling, prostitution, and gunning down rival gangs. Capone kidnapped opponents, election workers and threatened voters with violence. Later he eventually won office in Cairo but then his brother frank had been killed in a shootout with the Police of Chicago. Capone left for Miami with his wife and children and bought Palm Island estate,...

    Read More

  • Prohibition Argumentative Essay

    640 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...et of alcohol. The leader of the crime during the time was Al Capone. Capone was the ring leader of the mafia. He would do anything to get his money from his underground alcohol trafficking ring. Al Capone is a well known mafia leader. Al Capone Was the major trafficking leader during the prohibition. Al Capone was involved with gangs most of his life. This formed him into one of the greatest gang leader.

    Read More

More about Al Capone and the Evolution of Organized Crime

Open Document