Organized Crime BEgins
In 1910 there were around 500,000 Italians in the state of the New York alone due to the crackdown of the brutal dictator Benito Mussolini. Most of these immigrants were respectful citizens who came to America with the intention of making money in a legal manner. However, in 1920 the 18th amendment was passed that banned the production, sale, transportation, exportation, importation and consumption of alcohol. This law, mixed with the stock market crash that put many people in poverty, gave a rare chance to start a business that would be revolutionary during its time: organized crime.
Before 1920, the Mafia stuck with gambling, prostitution, and theft in order to gain profits, which is why Prohibition gave such a big boost to them. In response to the amendment, organized, sometimes violent, bootlegging manifested into a profitable black market for the outlawed alcohol. Despite its intention in reducing crime, Prohibition created more gangs than ever, and turned cities into battlegrounds between opposing gangs. When these gangs first broke out, in New York there was a massive and bloody struggle for power between two different Sicilian-American Mafias. This war between the two factions was known as the Castellammarese War. The war was between Salvatore Maranzano, one the most dominant and entrenched mob leaders in New York, and a new mob leader who was gaining power incredibly fast, Lucky Luciano. In the end Maranzano came out on top and led a rapidly-expanding crime organization with one family controlling each major city throughout the United States.
It was widely believed that the Volstead Act was going to diminish crime tremendously, on the contrary, in 1921, the total number of crimes increased by about 24%. Along with that, burglaries increased by 9%, homicides by 12%, assaults and battery by 13%, and drug addiction by about 44%. It was believed that the dangerous, black market, dictated by the criminal organization, was the cause of this, which ultimately led to worse social conditions in general. By the end of Prohibition, organized crime lost nearly all of its black market profits from alcohol, due to the average low-price retail sales.
Before 1920, the Mafia stuck with gambling, prostitution, and theft in order to gain profits, which is why Prohibition gave such a big boost to them. In response to the amendment, organized, sometimes violent, bootlegging manifested into a profitable black market for the outlawed alcohol. Despite its intention in reducing crime, Prohibition created more gangs than ever, and turned cities into battlegrounds between opposing gangs. When these gangs first broke out, in New York there was a massive and bloody struggle for power between two different Sicilian-American Mafias. This war between the two factions was known as the Castellammarese War. The war was between Salvatore Maranzano, one the most dominant and entrenched mob leaders in New York, and a new mob leader who was gaining power incredibly fast, Lucky Luciano. In the end Maranzano came out on top and led a rapidly-expanding crime organization with one family controlling each major city throughout the United States.
It was widely believed that the Volstead Act was going to diminish crime tremendously, on the contrary, in 1921, the total number of crimes increased by about 24%. Along with that, burglaries increased by 9%, homicides by 12%, assaults and battery by 13%, and drug addiction by about 44%. It was believed that the dangerous, black market, dictated by the criminal organization, was the cause of this, which ultimately led to worse social conditions in general. By the end of Prohibition, organized crime lost nearly all of its black market profits from alcohol, due to the average low-price retail sales.
Al Capone (January 17, 1899-January 25, 1947)
By leading the Chicago Outfit through bootlegging alcohol and engaging in other illegal activities, such as prostitution, all during the Prohibition Era, Al Capone became one of the most iconic, notorious, and successful gangster of all time.
Born to Italian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, it was there on the New York streets where Capone got his start joining small street gangs. He eventually met Johnny Torrio, who was a major component in the creation of the Chicago Outfit, and became a great mentor to the young Capone. After Torrio was injured in a gang war, Capone inherited the crime bushiness and become increasingly successful through gambling, prostitution, and more importantly, illegally exporting alcohol. Although he did take an interest in high society living and expressing his wealth, he tended to make donations to various charitable endeavors using the money he made from his activities, and was viewed by many to be a "modern-day Robin Hood."
Known for his intelligence, flamboyancy, and love of public attention, Capone became a major media interest. His true violent side was eventually exposed, however, when his role in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929, in which seven rival gangsters were murdered, was revealed to the public.
Although he was never charged, his public reputation was damaged by this event and investigations sparked from many federal agents, including Prohibition agent Eliot Ness. Although he was never caught on bootlegging, Ness researched Capone's income tax violations, and in 1931, Capone was indicted for income tax evasion, and was sentenced for eleven years in a federal prison. His confinement included a term at the then-new Alcatraz federal prison in San Francisco. After Prohibition was repealed, Capone's power began to diminish, as well did his health. After finishing his sentence, Capone remained at his Florida mansion with family, and in 1947 he died from cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke.
Born to Italian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, it was there on the New York streets where Capone got his start joining small street gangs. He eventually met Johnny Torrio, who was a major component in the creation of the Chicago Outfit, and became a great mentor to the young Capone. After Torrio was injured in a gang war, Capone inherited the crime bushiness and become increasingly successful through gambling, prostitution, and more importantly, illegally exporting alcohol. Although he did take an interest in high society living and expressing his wealth, he tended to make donations to various charitable endeavors using the money he made from his activities, and was viewed by many to be a "modern-day Robin Hood."
Known for his intelligence, flamboyancy, and love of public attention, Capone became a major media interest. His true violent side was eventually exposed, however, when his role in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929, in which seven rival gangsters were murdered, was revealed to the public.
Although he was never charged, his public reputation was damaged by this event and investigations sparked from many federal agents, including Prohibition agent Eliot Ness. Although he was never caught on bootlegging, Ness researched Capone's income tax violations, and in 1931, Capone was indicted for income tax evasion, and was sentenced for eleven years in a federal prison. His confinement included a term at the then-new Alcatraz federal prison in San Francisco. After Prohibition was repealed, Capone's power began to diminish, as well did his health. After finishing his sentence, Capone remained at his Florida mansion with family, and in 1947 he died from cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke.