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Julia McCarrick, Ally Aurillo, Amanda Fichter, Becca Dunn

Harkins
U.S. History (3)
15 December 2015
Al Capone
Alphonse Capone or better known as Al Capone was born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. In
his early years he was hired as a bouncer in the Harvard Inn, Coney Island, and gets three scars
on his face (Iorizzo XVII). In 1918 Albert Francis (Sonny), Al Capones son, was born on
December 4th, shortly after that on December 30th he married Mary Josephine (Mae) Coughlin
the mother of Sonny. As he continued to age he became a gangster and attained fame during the
Prohibition era, he was the the co founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit. The Chicago Outfit
was based out of Chicago Illinois, it was an Italian-American crime syndicate. The Chicago
Outfit was a multi-million dollar operation in bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling which
dominated the organized crime scene(The Legacy of Al Capone). He had a seven year reign
being the Crime Boss of the Chicago Outfit. His reign of being the Crime Boss ended when he
was thirty- three years old. Capone was highly known for his acts during the prohibition era
when all alcohol was illegal. Capone earned millions of dollars by selling alcohol during the
prohibition era from a business he received from Johnny Torrio. Capone had many acts of
violence mainly against other gangsters. The most famous act that Al Capone committed was
when he ordered to kill seven other rivals, this act was know and the Valentine's Day Massacre.
He did not serve time for the Massacre but he got caught for income-tax evasion and served a

six-and-a-half year term then died at age forty-eight. Today his life is conveyed in multiple wellknown hollywood movies and books.
The Golden Twenties were Europes equivalent to Americas Roaring Twenties - a
decade, of fun, frivolity and free expression (Tucker). This was a period of sustained economic
prosperity. During the 1920s, America was thriving on social and political reforms: The era
saw the large-scale use of automobiles, telephones, motion pictures, radio, electricity,
refrigeration, air conditioning, unprecedented industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand
and aspirations, plus significant changes in lifestyle and culture(The Legacy of Al Capone).
Between 1920 and 1929, the nation's total wealth had doubled. In January, 1919, Congress
ratified the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacturing, transportation and sale of
alcohol within the United States. American gangster Al Capone moved from New York to
Chicago in 1920. Johnny Torrio was a gangster who was seeking business opportunities in
bootlegging following the onset of prohibition. Torrio recruited Capone and the two became
successful together. In 1920 during the height of Prohibition, Capones multi-million dollar
Chicago operation in bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling dominated the organized crime
scene. Capone had a great distribution network and was able to supply many underground bars
during the 1920s. Johnny Torrio retired in February, 1925 and left Al Capone in charge of his
mob. Due to his location in Chicago, he was able to build a centralized business and had an
advantage in comparison to bootleggers in other cities. After a decade of booming prosperity and
wealth, the Wall Street Crash of 1929 occurred. Known to be one of the most consequential U.S.
events of the 20th century, the Wall Street Crash of 1929 affected the whole nation, and resulted
in a month long economic decline. As the Great Depression began in 1929, Al Capone was still
very wealthy and intended to clean up his image and reputation. Al Capone was one of the first

people to help during the Great Depression. He supplied jobs to thousands of people and opened
up soup kitchens to feed the hungry. In December of 1931, the Chicago Tribunes headline was
120,000 meals are served by Capone Free Soup Kitchen. Al Capone did infact have a huge
impact on the 1920s. Without Capone, people would not have access to underground bars during
the Prohibition era. Also, Capone saved the lives of many as he provided meals for the poor
during the start of the Great Depression.
Al Capone essentially had a huge impact and influence on modern day society. Al
Capone was known as the nations most famous and acknowledged mobster. He was described as
ruthless, controlling, and just an all-around hard shell individual. Al Capone had shaped and
created a criminal empire throughout his lifetime. His actions and characteristics were influenced
by the neighborhood which he grew up in, and his childhood experiences. He had expressed his
power and violence in the city of Chicago at a very young age. His cold-blooded violence shortly
spread and circulated throughout the whole country. His corruption of laws was built upon
alcohol smuggling and widespread crime. His involvement in gangs and organized crime was
very popular during his era. This plays a vast role in the present and future times. This is because
Capones era influenced crime organizations to becomes stronger and larger. In most cities today
police and safety forces cannot control these gangs, and the organizations continue to grow and
corrupt cities. This further affected the Police and FBI agencies. After Al Capones illegal rage,
the FBI was established as a reliable and efficient law enforcement. Protecting and controlling
violence with common citizens. Illegal smuggling, robberies, and homicides are still happening
and increased since Al Capones time. Al Capone also influenced modern day society with the
exile of prohibition. The Volstead Act was issued during the 1900s to protect and honor the
eighteenth amendment. This amendment prohibited the production, sale, and transportation of

alcoholic or intoxicating liquors. This upset Al Capone, for it was the fire and drive behind his
smuggling crimes. The Volstead Act or also known as The National Probation act disgusted Al
Capone. Al Capone began smuggling and brewing these illegal drinks. He smuggled them from
Canada and across the United States. His actions were the complete opposite of what the act
established and allowed for the citizens. He had taught society that no one can control the will of
the people. No laws were strong enough to stop them. This affected world violence overall. The
prohibition was later taken down and the act was cancelled. As a result of Al Capones actions
and the prohibition act being exiled, alcohol abuse and substance abuse is now seen as a mental
and social issue. This allows political and governmental issues and groups to stay out of it. Al
Capones impact on society links to other criminals and gangs, but no one can compare the
legend himself. The world has been impacted by his footprint and he will always have a place in
our nations history.

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