Tuesday, September 14, 2010

History Files - Al Capone

Here is a link to one of the real figures in American History that helped the Face Book game "Mafia Wars," popular! Who is this man? Why was he involved in the work that he did? After reading this article what impact do you feel he made on American History?

History Files - Al Capone

2 comments:

  1. Al Capone played a major part in American History. Al Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1899. He became a gangster at a very young age, and dropped out of school at the age of 14. He held many odd jobs even though he only had a 6th grade education, but always settled for a life of crime. He was very bright and fearless, and quickly became a hot commodity in the Gangster World.
    As an adult, he married and had a son they called “sonny”. He worked for various crime bosses, the mob world loved how he showed no fear and was diligent in his ways. He had no problem throwing his power around, and many feared him. He was accused of many things ranging from disorderly conduct to murder, but was never tried on murder charges because no one would come forward out of fear for their own lives.
    He moved to Chicago, to lay low from some murder accusations from New York. While in Chicago, he bought a home and became involved with another big crime boss, John Torrino. In Chicago Capone became very successful in gambling houses, saloons, and brothels. It is said he raked in about 100,000,000. But Capone was eventually pushed out of Chicago.
    Capone would become infamous for the notorious St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, six men were murdered. Although Capone was known for many murders, he was also known for being a very fair and generous man as well. He opened soup kitchens and even provided food and clothes for the poor at his own expense.
    Al Capone was never tried in Court for most of his crimes, However, he was charged with tax evasion and had to serve 11 years in jail. He was a model prisoner, and when he got out of jail, he led a quiet reserved life. He died and he would go down in history as one of the biggest, influential gangsters in history.

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  2. Al Capone came into power during the Prohibition Era of the 1920s, peaking in 1931. His cunning and critical organizing of crime quickly shot up the ranks from a bartender to Public Enemy Number One. Careful to stay out of direct sight, Capone often used hotels as his headquarters, and kept spies everywhere, including the police.
    Despite all efforts, crime never pays, and Capone was convicted and sent to a Federal Prison. After an effective taking-over of the prison, he was repositioned to Alcatraz. It was there in California that he finished his sentence, before being sent home to Florida where he died of pneumonia.

    Capone was born in Brooklyn, where gangs were running rampid. It was no wonder the he soon got involved in gang life, which lead onto his criminal activity during Prohibition. Problems within his family most likely contributed to his lawless ways, and his early murders hardened him no doubt.
    Al Capone's story has inspired many American books and movies, and although an outlaw, he seems to have become and infamous American Hero (for lack of a better term). He inspired many others of his time, I'm sure, and has forever defined and made well known the activity of the Mafia.

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