During the 1920s, criminal gangs known as “mobs” were prevalent in the US, with Irish and Italian gangs being the first and most powerful. Prohibition led to the rise of bootlegging and smuggling, with Al Capone and Lucky Luciano being notorious mobsters. Mafia clans were secretive and involved in various illegal activities, including gambling, prostitution, and drug trafficking.
During the 1920s, criminal gangs within the United States were commonly referred to as “mobs.” The term mafioso was used to describe an individual who was a member of a mob. Mobs were typically very clandestine and often only allowed entry to members of their own cultural group. The first and most powerful mafias were probably the Irish and Italian gangs concentrated in major US cities. They had their members in law enforcement, banking and government.
Most historians agree that the enactment of Prohibition was probably the main reason mobs gained so much power. Prohibition was an amendment to the United States Constitution that made it illegal to sell, manufacture, or consume alcohol within the United States. Prohibition was so unpopular that people began looking for illegal ways to obtain alcohol, and organized criminal gangs began to channel their influence into providing a black market for illegal alcohol. The illegal production and sale of alcohol was called “smuggling.” Prohibition later became the first and only amendment to the United States Constitution to be repealed.
Al Capone was a mobster who rose to prominence as one of the most prominent bootleggers. His Italian Mafia, which ran the primaries in Chicago, was considered one of the most violent gangs in the country. As was often typical for a mobster, he came from a background of poverty, yet he went on to become one of the richest men in the country. Al Capone died in 1949 of a stroke that may have been caused by syphilis.
Another notorious mobster was “Lucky” Luciano, whose birth name was Charles Luciano. He operated mostly out of New York and eventually partnered with another famous mobster named Meyer Lensky. Together, the two have probably amassed more wealth than any mobster in American history. Their power and influence may have extended well into the 1950s. Luciano is believed to have played a role in bringing various mobs together, which not only cemented their power but greatly reduced gang violence.
The lifespan of a mobster was often short, and they often had lifestyles that required split personalities from them. Many of them had families and presented themselves as a regular part of their community. Often their neighbors and family members didn’t know exactly how they made a living. Mafia clans were very secretive societies and were typically lifelong commitments.
Most organized crime groups were involved in many other activities than the sale of illegal alcohol. They were also involved in gambling and prostitution. In addition, they have used a large network of criminal partners, including international partners, to bring illegal drugs, especially opium, into the United States.
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