The first World War had left our world in an injurious and destructive state, however the

next decade had brought increased formation of exhilarating new technology and elevated
production. As jobs were plentiful, people had more disposable income and additional leisure
time. With more leisure time there had also been an increase in forms of entertainment, funnily
alcohol kept people the most entertained. But for all that, it also had caused a lot of controversy,
which was started by various religious groups. The banning of consumption, production, selling
and transportation of alcohol beverages began in 1920 and lasted till 1933 in the United States.
Canada also tried this in World War l with a National Temperance Policy, whereas Canadian laws
still allowed for its production and export. This had sparked off an explosion for huge black
markets in illegal booze. Very rapidly the involvement of gangs escalated over the illegal alcohol
trade. Causing opposite effects of hope, there had been a heavy increase in murder, gang wars,
corruption of police, judges, government officials and loss of jobs. Not to mention Al Capone,
the most famous gangster in American history also heavily took part. He had gained enormous
reputation in the prohibition era, and dominated organized crime in Chicago for 7 years. Al
Capone was born to a poor immigrant family in Brooklyn, New York in 1899. He did good in his
elementary years and there were no signs of what his future self would become, yet he had to
repeat sixth grade and never returned. Johnny Torrio, another American mobster, was running
gambling operations around Capone’s neighborhood. Capone completed errands for Torrio and
spent his time with street gangs, but his gang activities were mostly uneventful. Torrio invited
Capone to Chicago and he took the opportunity, he proved to be sharply skillful alongside Torrio
as his partner. After an assassination attempt on Torrio’s life from rival mobsters, Torrio decided
to leave the business and hand over the entire operation to Capone. Capone had begun carrying
the business of running gambling, prostitution and expanding his territories. Despite carrying a
love for alcohol, and was conventionally against it, he viewed prohibition as a very positive
attribute in order to increase his illegal business. As prohibition had started, organized crime
became more popular as notorious gang leaders arranged and regulated bootlegging, speakeasies,
corrupted law enforcement, and racketeering. This provided gangs with a very steady flow of
income. It became a major selling point for gang leaders like him. Capone had also started the
operation of drugs in Chicago. Hence he had capitalized and profited majorly from the illegal
alcohol market, creating an overwhelming business opportunity for him. He also carried a very
sociable and generous personality, and his each and every move was followed by the public. As
stated in the movie “All I do is to supply a public demand”. He was seen as the robin-hood figure
of the time and worked on the side of the people, because from the eyes of the public he was also
against prohibition. This allowed for him to spend his money(only in cash so it was harder to
track) and live a lavish and luxurious lifestyle at the Metropole Hotel. However along the line as
his name became more connected with barbarous bloodshed and he became more known for his
brutal acts of violence. Without regard to, he continued to make large amounts of profit. For that
matter, at one point in his career he was able to rank in a total of $100 million each year, which
would be $1.5 billion in today’s money. Lastly, organized crime was not a thing before
prohibition, as only small crimes were to occur. As greater amounts of money was coming from
illegal sales, street thugs had to get resourceful and sharp. They had to hire lawyers and
accountants to haunder their millions. Also having to learn how to start strategic partnerships
with other gangs. In the movie Capone had referred to himself as a businessman. Hence under
those circumstances, in the absence of prohibition and organized crime, Al Capone would have
not obtained the large amounts of money, like he had done in reality.

Works Cited

Moss, Stephen. Why Didn't Prohibition Work?, The Guardian, 30 March 2016,

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/30/prohibition-google-autocompl

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0and%20hygiene%20in%20America.&text=The%20lessons%20of%20prohibition%20re

main%20important%20today. Accessed 15 October 2020.

FBI. Al Capone. FBI, https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/al-capone. Accessed 15 October

2020.

A&E Television Networks. “Al Capone.” History, 14 October 2009,

https://www.history.com/topics/crime/al-capone#:~:text=Capone's%20Early%20Years%2

0in%20New%20York,-Alphonse%20Capone%20(1899&text=Capone's%20father%20wa

s%20a%20barber,as%20America's%20most%20notorious%20gangster.&text=One%20d

ay%2C%20Capone's%20teacher%20hi. Accessed 15 October 2020.

A&E Television Networks. “Al Capone.” History, 14 January 2009,

https://www.history.com/topics/crime/al-capone#:~:text=Capone's%20Early%20Years%2

0in%20New%20York,-Alphonse%20Capone%20(1899&text=Capone's%20father%20wa

s%20a%20barber,as%20America's%20most%20notorious%20gangster.&text=One%20d

ay%2C%20Capone's%20teacher%20hi. Accessed 15 October 2020.