Al Capone Essay

James Latino
HSI Step 2
(Note: The parenthesized numbers within this research correspond with the proceeding works cited list.)
1.   Evidence: Al Capone
Context in the source: “Al Capone was born on January 17th, 1899.”(pg 1)
Who: Al Capone was a gangster and bootlegger.
What: He was a figure of American Mafioso’s and organized crime.
When: During the early 1900’s through the Prohibition era.
Where:   Throughout the United States where Italian-immigrant families lived.
Why: During the 1920’s, the US government was cracking down on liquor sales and bars.   A rising figure in the Chicago Outfit of organized crime, Al Capone began to give immigrant people a service which they desired: alcohol.   He began bootlegging enterprises and started making over $100 million per year.
How:   Immigrants who fought against the policies of the US government supported the speakeasies during the Prohibition era.

2. Evidence: Gangster
Context in Source: “He had been a gunslinger for Al Capone in Chicago when Capone was America’s most notorious gangster in the 1920’s.” (pg 2)
Who: Gangsters were primarily men who were involved with bootlegging, racketeering, extortion and money laundering.
What: Definition 1: a criminal who is a member of an organized crime organization.
When:   During times of economic depression, during the prohibition era, when large amounts of immigrants and poor came to the United States.
Where:   In the immigrant ghettos and the poor sections of neighborhoods.
Why:   Gangsters rose to power because there were economic troubles in their neighborhoods.   Many immigrants didn’t have the resources they needed or desired, so other people would provide with those desired sources.
How:   Lack of justice system, corrupt politicians, large population of immigrants and poor.

3.   Evidence: Wealth
Context in the Source: “Records show the Capones bought the home for $5,500 in 1923 after moving...