Roles Of The Mafia In The 1920's
The Mafia
Everyone has heard of the notorious Al Capone. Gang leader from Chicago who is responsible for many murders. What some may not know is that he was also a part of a much larger organization known as The Mafia. Defined by Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as a “secret criminal society” the Mafia controls all organized crime in a particular area. They knew how to get what they wanted without getting caught and were not afraid of anything or anyone. Although the Mafia is still around today their prime years were from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. Beginning in the late 19th century organized crime rose in popularity among American people. The Mafia and its following depended on family ties, secrecy, and loyalty as they participated …show more content…
During the 1920’s and the Prohibition Era one of the most common practices for Mafia members was to provide illegal alcohol to speakeasy owners and citizens alike. Then moving into the Great Depression bank robberies and even some kidnappings became a popular practice. The economy was in ruins and members of the Mafia would do anything to make money. Other illegal activities that members of the Mafia participated in include killings of rival gang members or enemies and illegal gambling such as rigged slot machines. They participated in extortion which is obtaining money or goods through threats and violence and this was especially common amongst members of the Mob. Also very common was loansharking which is where someone would offer loans to others but had extremely high interest rates. Women also participated in illegal activities of their own such as prostitution. Although they were not full fledged members of the Mafia they certainly had ties to it. With all of these practices threats, blackmail and violence would be used regularly in order to get what they wanted. It was not uncommon for Mob members to pull guns on people they entered deals with or use their dirty secrets against them. The main goal of all of these activities was to make money for themselves and for the Mafia as an
Everyone has heard of the notorious Al Capone. Gang leader from Chicago who is responsible for many murders. What some may not know is that he was also a part of a much larger organization known as The Mafia. Defined by Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as a “secret criminal society” the Mafia controls all organized crime in a particular area. They knew how to get what they wanted without getting caught and were not afraid of anything or anyone. Although the Mafia is still around today their prime years were from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. Beginning in the late 19th century organized crime rose in popularity among American people. The Mafia and its following depended on family ties, secrecy, and loyalty as they participated …show more content…
During the 1920’s and the Prohibition Era one of the most common practices for Mafia members was to provide illegal alcohol to speakeasy owners and citizens alike. Then moving into the Great Depression bank robberies and even some kidnappings became a popular practice. The economy was in ruins and members of the Mafia would do anything to make money. Other illegal activities that members of the Mafia participated in include killings of rival gang members or enemies and illegal gambling such as rigged slot machines. They participated in extortion which is obtaining money or goods through threats and violence and this was especially common amongst members of the Mob. Also very common was loansharking which is where someone would offer loans to others but had extremely high interest rates. Women also participated in illegal activities of their own such as prostitution. Although they were not full fledged members of the Mafia they certainly had ties to it. With all of these practices threats, blackmail and violence would be used regularly in order to get what they wanted. It was not uncommon for Mob members to pull guns on people they entered deals with or use their dirty secrets against them. The main goal of all of these activities was to make money for themselves and for the Mafia as an