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Speakeasies and illicit distilleries emerged, creating financial avenues for mobsters nationwide. Al Capone, born into poverty in Manhattan, rose to prominence during this era. His journey from a simple bouncer to the kingpin of Chicago’s underworld intertwines decisively with the booming demand for bootlegged alcohol.
The Rise of Iconic Criminal Figures
As organized crime burgeoned, various powerful names emerged beyond Capone. Arnold Rothstein, known as the "fixer" behind the infamous 1919 World Series scandal, and Charles "Lucky" Luciano, whose aspirations would reshape gang dynamics among ethnic lines, became key players in the criminal hierarchy.