Born to poor Italian immigrants, Al Capone rose from his humble beginnings to become one of the most infamous mobsters in the United States. Based out of Chicago, Illinois, Capone ran a multi-million dollar operation that dominated the organized crime scene. The well-known gangster, also nicknamed “Scarface”, took part in a wide variety of illegal activities to include: bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, and several brutally violent acts. Al Capone managed to finagle his way up from the life of a poor urban immigrant, to the most infamous American gangster, and as a result of his rise to power and life of crime he changed US History along the way. Alphonse Capone, Al for short, was born in 1899 to recently immigrated parents, Gabriele and …show more content…
He found work early on at a munitions factory and later as a paper cutter. Occasionally, Al Capone would slip into his old ways spending some of his time among Brooklyn streets gangsters, but usually he kept himself out of trouble. Although, there was a few minor incidents during this time that did surface. For instance, in 1917 Torrio introduced Al Capone to fellow gangster, Frankie Yale. Capone was offered a job as both a bartender and bouncer at Yale’s establishment. One night while working the bar Capone made an inappropriate comment to young woman. Her brother then proceeded to attack Al, punching him and slashing his face leaving three scars. It was this very incident that earned Capone his well- known nickname …show more content…
For starters, his contribution to economic changes during the “roaring 20s”; he used a massive amount of businesses as fronts for his illegal sale of liquor and gambling, all which that contributed to the positive spike in the economy during this era as a result of increased consumerism of both legal and illegal goods. Capone also had a hand in effecting politics during the time. He continuously used methods of rigged elections and bribery to gain and utilize connections in government and police positions. Al Capone’s crime ring also led to social changes: increased amounts of violence and the creation of speakeasies – nightclubs that altered the nightlife in the cities. All of which eventually snowballed into more drastic long-lasting changes. America at the time was still remotely wholesome; Capone’s crimes sparked an increased amount of violence in urban society that only progressed as time went on. Also, Prohibition was repealed in 1933, said to be a direct result of Capone’s crime ring. Al Capone was the biggest producer and seller of alcohol at the time and the government eventually grew tired of all the increased organized crime that prohibition had brought along with it. As a result alcohol was legalized. All in all, although some see Al Capone as a violent, horrible part of our nation’s past there is no doubt that his actions directly altered the course of American