“You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.” (Al Capone). The 1920s to the 1940s was a time of destruction and rebirth. It was a time of major advancements and major setbacks. This era although a time of many accomplishments was the time period in which the Mafia developed. The Mafia was a major influence on the public. They were an organized group of individuals that went around committing crimes. They were ruthless, destructive, and complex. A large part of what they did influence gangs and the mafia today. Violence, characters, and influences, all played a role in the Mafia. One way in which the Mafia was a major part of the 1920-1940 time period was the violence they caused. The Mafia was created due to the backlash of the prohibition act. They entered an illegal alcohol business that produced and sold the toxic beverages despite the law. After the Prohibition, the Mafia organized itself into a more …show more content…
This extensive crime group of the 1920s-1940s was run by many robust and authoritative people that were responsible for great changes. Some of these characters were Al Capone, Mickey Cohen, “Mad Sam” DeStefano, etc. These mafia leaders were known for individual reasons, but ultimately they were all perceived as powerful and determined men that ran the crime industry. For example, Al Capone was known for organized crime. He got his start in the illegal alcohol industry during the prohibition, then later grew his network to gambling, prostitution, bootlegging rackets, and even murder when trying to expand his territories and gunning down rivals. “Capone kidnapped opponents' election workers and threatened voters with violence. He eventually won office in Cicero, but not before his brother Frank had been killed in a shootout with Chicago's police force.” (Al Capone Biography). These characters were a large influence on the mafia and gangs