Imagine a city where gangster ruled. In the 1920s, Chicago was a town known for being controlled by its criminal element. Half of the police force was paid by mob rulers; illegal alcohol was flowing free in the streets during the Prohibition Era; and the fire of tommy guns was a familiar sound to everyone who lived in downtown Chicago. In the windy city, Al Capone was the epitome of a gangster whose lifestyle involved crime, prostitution, and bootlegged alcohol. In his youth, Al Capone already started a life of crime which led to his being a notorious gangster as an adult; however, it was not his violence but his lifestyle that brought about his demise.
As a child, Al started to become involved with some gang-related activities and also met some people that helped develop a lifestyle that shaped the way he would live. Al Capone came from a humble beginning. Gabriele Capone, a barber, and Teresina Raiola, a seamstress, were both born in Naples, Italy, where they were married. (Al Capone) They had three children in Italy, but desired a better life for their family. They decided to move to America, the land of the free. Once, in America they made their home in Brooklyn, New York. This is where their fourth son, Alphonse Capone, was born on January 17, 1899. Though living in poverty, their parent's provided a decent standard of living for their children. When Capone was old enough to start school Al's parents sent him to a public school in Brooklyn. Later he dropped out at the age of fourteen due to a fight with his teacher and the school's principal. Now, Capone had plenty of free time on his hands. Family members and friends noticed that Al was very wise when it came to living on the streets of New York. He had a clever and somewhat ingenious mind when it came to life on the street. He had what most people called "street smarts." Now that Capone was spending more time on the streets, he starte...