Al Capone: A Gangster in Chicago

Al Capone was a notorious gangster in Chicago during the years of Prohibition. He came to power when his partner and mentor, Johnny Torrio, fled Chicago for Italy fearing death threats. Torrio left Capone in charge to run a massive bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, and extortion business that made about $100,000,000 annually. Since these activities that Capone conducted were extremely illegal, Capone managed to bribe or blackmail officials to keep himself and his men out of jail. The government had a very difficult time trying to capture Capone because of his power, celebrity status, and money. After years of trying to catch Capone and send him to jail, the government finally succeeded. Instead of arresting Capone on accounts of murder, bootlegging, gambling, prostitution, extortion, etc. the government arrested him due to tax evasion. Despite its efforts, the United States Government did not do enough to stop Al Capone from terrorizing the city of Chicago during Prohibition.

“The reign of tears is over. The slums will soon be a memory. We will turn our prisons into factories and our jails into storehouses and corncribs. Men will walk upright now, women will smile and children will laugh. Hell will be forever for rent.” This quote was spoken after the passing of Prohibition by Reverend Billy Sunday during a sermon. His beliefs on how Prohibition would positively impact the country reflected most of America’s views. The people believed that with no alcohol, the world would be a better place. The XVII Amendment states that, “After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States...

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...s men had killed four of Moran’s men, and two who were closely associated with Moran. Bugs Moran was very fortunate to have slept in that day because he was the target of the attack. Capone was suspected of the massacre but he was never convicted because he was, “Vacationing at his retreat at Palm Island, Florida. He had an alibi for his whereabouts and disclaimed knowledge of the coldblooded killings. Few believed him. No one ever went to jail for pulling a trigger in the Clark Street garage, which was demolished in 1967.” The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was a good example of how serious Capone took his business. If he sensed that there was any competition, he would end it quickly, and occasionally violently. Capone wanted to be as successful and powerful as possible, and he took every measure that was needed to ensure that he would be the man who ruled Chicago.