Al Capone And The Prohibition Era

Throughout certain eras in American history, there have been painted images of grandiosity, living the “American dream”, mobsters and mayhem, times of strife and times of booming economies and vast wealth. The Prohibition Era certainly holds a candle to many of the aforementioned topics. It was a time in American history when alcohol was banned and yet, those thirsty enough could always manage to find a secret local speakeasy or a bootlegger to peddle some alcohol from. Along with speakeasies and bootleggers, the Prohibition Era was a time of a booming economy and it was certainly not unheard of for “new money” to enter into the social circles of the old families. Another common theme of this wildly intoxicated era was that of the gangsters. In the twenty-first century when the word gangster is uttered, often times images of minorities in baggy clothes comes to mind. However, when discussing the Prohibition Era the lives of gangsters are seen as much more glamorous, and none were more glamorous than that of the ultimate American gangster, Al “Scarface” Capone. Capone’s name brings to mind images of pinstripe suits, underground bars, bootleggers, flappers, and gun fights. His image embodies that of the Prohibition Era and his influence throughout society carries through it. Alphonse Capone is the ultimate American gangster.
 Born in Brooklyn, New York in January 1899, Capone was one of eight children. His parents were recent Italian immigrants looking to start fresh in America, the land of opportunity, and would never begin to suspect that they had birthed a boy who would in later years become America’s most notorious gangster, the ultimate “Public Enemy No. 1”.1 Up until the sixth grade Capone worked hard in school, trying to be... ... middle of paper ... ...d his mind continued to rapidly deteriorate. After five more agonizing years of severe pain and loss of memory from syphilis, Capone finally died on January 25, 1947 of cardiac arrest.11 Alphonse Capone, spent the entirety of his life working to improve his life from immigration status. He started working odd, low profile, legal jobs before steadily climbing his way up the gangster food chain. Capone used force, bribery, and any other ways possible to achieve the means to any end that he so desired. Until his arrest, Capone laid claim to the title Public Enemy No. 1, and continued to work his dark magic throughout the country and in prison until he was incarcerated in the most notorious federal prison to date. Capone, albeit slightly evil and conniving, decidedly took his own fate into his hands as a young boy to earn the title of America’s most notorious gangster.