Al Capone

Essay by aliment4dancingHigh School, 10th gradeA-, December 2004

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Al Capone was an essential player during the prohibition era and is largely responsible for the growth of organized crime (mafia). Involving himself with mob leaders and eventually moving up the chain of power himself, he ruled the majority of business associated with crime in Chicago during the 1920s. Without prohibition, Al Capone would not have been as successful of a business leader as he was. And without Al Capone, prohibition wouldn't have been so readily repealed in 1933. He also helped to shape mafia into a business like organization. Leading his gang to huge profits utilizing the prohibition law, he dispensed the mafia with more control over more people in power. His business of manufacturing and distributing alcohol to the majority of Chicago, shaped mafia conduct into organized illegal operations controlled in a professional manner. Al Capone was a huge influence on prohibition and organized crime, two important aspects of United Sates history.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1899, Alphonse Capone was associated in crime at an early age. He was a member of the Five Points gang in New York, then recruited by Johnny Torrio at the age of 22 to be his partner in his Chicago business. Capone then took over as manager of the Four Deuces Club, Torrio's headquarters, and a speakeasy, gambling joint, and brothel all in one. Torrio was currently "Big Jim" Colossimo's manager. Colossimo, the mob boss of the south side uneasy about entering the liquor rackets, was shot to death, leaving Johnny Torrio as boss with Al Capone his right hand man. Together, Torrio and Capone expanded Colossimo's organization and flourished in the bootlegging business. After multiple attempts on his life and jail time, Torrio decided to retire leaving Capone in charge of his

>business. Capone, owning 161 illegal drinking establishments,