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How Chicago Mafia Impacted The 1900s Culture And Society Of America

1246 Words5 Pages

Roman Colleton
Mrs. Manatos
English II
21 May 2023
How the Chicago Mafias Impacted the 1900s Culture and Society of America
"Mafia is a process, not a thing. Mafia is a form of clan - cooperation to which it's individual members pledge lifelong loyalty....Friendship, connections, family ties, trust, loyalty, obedience - this was the glue that held us together." ~ Joseph Bonanno, aka (Joe Bananas) , is a notorious mobster known for his hard-headed personality. The mafia is a prestigious organized crime group, that has close ties with political figures and “elites”. Chicago's mafias rose to power through bootlegging, corruption, and political arrangements. The Italian mafia negatively impacted American culture within Chicago during the 1920s …show more content…

About 40% of all Chicago policemen's death is from the 1900s era, as stated by the Chicago Police Department. Notably, men of the mafia had access to multiple assets to evade the law. According to Humbert in an article about the mafia, he states “The professional criminal knew, or had ready access to lawyers who knew, the nuances of the law and how to avoid retribution for antisocial actions. He had money and connections with politicians, as well as with corrupt policemen, who would delay or circumvent efforts to bring him to justice. He also could arrange intimidation of witnesses and victims so that they kept silent” (Humbert). Criminals could get away with crimes, by bribing officials, intimidating victims and witnesses, and having corrupt policemen on their side. The Chicago laws were no match for the mafia at that time, as a result, they failed in their mission to help and serve society. In short, the Chicago police force and lawmakers failed to tame the Mafia. This resulted in young Italian Americans not only in Chicago but, around the world, facing discrimination for being Italian. Again, like their Italian immigrant family before themselves, a new wave of racism/discrimination is started for more generations of Italian Americans caused by the …show more content…

Many crimes in the 90s were committed to send fear through people. The people of that time were scared of Italian Americans because of this the Italians of Chicago were stereotyped as more aggressive and hostile. Furthermore, McDonough states, “The prime example was the St. Valentine's Day Massacre of February 14, 1929. The killers were dressed as police officers, which led some to believe at first that policemen were actually responsible for the murders Police Commissioner William F. Russell immediately stated that the suspicion was a great challenge to the Police Department.” (McDonough) Through murders and deceiving the Chicago public both the people and authorities alike were fooled, by the Mafia. By highlighting the events that took place on February 14, 1929, the mafia's presence is undeniable. The mafia used criminal behavior to send a widespread message of their complete dominance of the Chicago

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Using territories to their advantage was not all that bootleggers did. They also developed sophisticated plans and made connections and used them to their advantage. They created networks throughout the cities, with citizens, law enforcement, and government officials alike. They did all they could to protect themselves and their business, History.com writes “Italian-American gangs (along with other ethnic gangs) entered the booming bootleg liquor business and transformed themselves into sophisticated criminal enterprises, skilled at smuggling, money laundering and bribing police and other public officials". They did all they could to ensure their business' success.

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Prior to prohibition multiple street gangs were involved in criminal activity throughout the city. Additionally, a scheme was brought to Chicago from Italy known as the “Black Hand”. It involved threatening residents with violence unless money was paid; the extortion letters were stamped with a hand in ink. Some black hands joined forces and created organized criminals (American Mafia History, ND).

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During Prohibition, organized crime was on the rize. Especially in the city of Chicago, Illinois. This is where the most notorious gangster, Al Capone, rose to power. Al Capone had established himself as Chicago's top criminal boss by 1929, raking in over $60 million a year through gambling, prostitution, and other illicit endeavors. Local and federal authorities repeatedly detained him on suspicion of contempt of court, possession of a concealed weapon, and other offenses, but they were unable to establish a solid enough case against him to bring any charges related to his violent behavior.

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A study showed that in the 1920s 50 percent of New York’s bootleggers were Jewish, 25 percent Irish and 25% Italians (Hortis 49). Many independent Italian bootleggers started doing business with other bootleggers and therefore joined in a network of economic cooperation and gradually evolved into larger gangs. By the late 1920s, there were 5 Italian

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Al Capone came to Chicago in 1919 at 20 years old and became one of the city’s most successful gangsters in 3 years while attacking and defying prohibition (Karamanski). Al Capone, being one of the top gangsters, committed many crimes which involved disregarding the prohibition and many other gang related crimes. But Capone’s success and legacy left a hold on Chicago. Before Capone, Chicago was always worried about its reputation but after, Capone and other criminals turned Chicago against its reputation and pushed Hollywood to enforce a gangster image on the city (Karamanski). Chicago didn’t wanted to be seen as a crime and gangster ridden city, but the acts of many criminals, including Al Capone, established Hollywood’s gangster image of Chicago, which the city would never be able to get rid of.

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But Capone had a problem keeping himself under the radar, He developed a reputation as a drinker and fighter (“Al Capone - Facts…” 1). He hit a parked taxi cab while he was driving drunk (“Al Capone - Facts…” 1). This was his first time getting arrested, Torrio quickly used his governmental-city connections to get him off (“AlCapone - Facts…” 1).Capone cleaned himself up when his family arrived, Capone even bought a modest, middle class home on the south-side (“Al Capone - Facts…” 1). Life Was unfolding in front of Capone's eyes but problems never seem to disappear. In 1923 the city of Chicago elected a mayor who announced that he was going to destroy all crime rates, Torrio and Capone moved their headquarters beyond the city to a suburb Cicero(“Al Capone - Facts…” 1).

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Members of his gang were often called "American Boys" : a group of non-Italian, native born criminals. "(Lantzer). Before prohibition was enforced, many gangs had their hands tied up in illegal gambling and prostitution. Capone and his gang dominated Chicago and cause lots of fear in people. As Witer explained in his work about Capone's ability with his gang, "By the late 1920's, his gang also dominated gambling, labor racketeering, and other Criminal activities and established contacts with gangs."

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During the 1920’s gang related crime was a serious issue. The leader of all this violence and corruption was a man named Al “Scarface” Capone (“Al Capone”). This organized crime, dehumanization, and corruption, became the ultimate image of Chicago for people throughout the world. He was largely immersed in things like gambling, prostitution, and the illegal sale of liquor. He was not convicted for any of his crimes, even the St. Valentine's Day massacre of 1929, until he was imprisoned for tax evasion (Horan).

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Capone kept bootlegging and making money. Everything was going good and Capone had everything under control besides the few gangs that kept on trying to take his turf. So eventually Capone got tired of it and ordered them to get executed. Thus leading to the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.

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In 1920, there were 1300 gangs in Chicago alone, all looking to make it rich from a dry city . Prohibition was able to develop gang culture and changed the perspective concerning organized crime. Due to the immense scale of these bootlegging operations, gangsters were forced to bribe police and government officials to turn a blind eye to their activity . Not only were these gangsters well paid and out of authoritative sight, but they became well liked by the general public. Gangsters were hailed as Robin Hood characters-- who bent the rules to appease the demands of the general public-- and dominated the various cities they provided drink to.

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“Just as things were getting too hot for Capone in New York, he was invited to Chicago by Torrio, who said he needed a trusted man to help him run Big Jim Colosimo’s empire. Capone left for Chicago on the next train” (Maclean 68). “Prohibition became law in 1920 and soon bootlegging, the biggest racket of its time, was launched. It was destined to bring untold wealth to a few and unbridled violence and death to many” (Maclean 68).

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The amount of people in the government and police force that were being bribed by the mafia was hard to wrap the mind around. The men who did terrible things only got off with little punishments. They also destroyed lots of cities and cost America lots of money (Rucker). They left America financially hurting by all the damages they caused. The mafia scared lots and lots people but certain men from the group like Al Capone were publicized by the media.

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During the roaring twenties the notorious mobster Al Capone or “Scarface” dominated the chaotic city of Chicago, he surpassed all his rivals and he was acknowledged as the most fearsome and powerful mobster that has terrorized the city. During his prime Al Capone have gather more than 1,000 members in his gang, accumulated more than $100millions as his personal income and he was able to claimed that he “owned” Chicago. Al Capone was one of the most well-known and villainous crime lords that ever existed, but how did Al Capone become such an infamous figure? Al Capone’s family settled in New York during the late nineteen centuries, The Capones were poor immigrants originated from Italy, they moved into a poor Brooklyn tenement where Al

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By their strategic thinking and capacity for influence over those around them. First off, Al Capone, a notorious figure in American mafia history, ruled the Chicago Outfit with a ruthless hand from the 1920s until the early 1930s. Capone was renowned for his ruthlessness, lavish lifestyle, and willingness to resort to extraordinary measures to defend his criminal organization. The notorious St. Valentine's Day Massacre, which saw seven members of a rival gang brutally slain in a Chicago garage in 1929 proven by “The seven men thought they were facing only arrest.... Otherwise [they] would have sold their lives dearly.

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It’s 1920, the Chicago lights gleam in the night. A dangerous night. A loud explosion is heard near Lakeshore Drive, followed by a fiery, red flame lighting up the dark, city night. Chunks of rubble make a loud splash as they are swallowed up by the waters of Lake Michigan. Al Capone’s associates have bombed another speakeasy, injuring many citizens in the process.

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