History of the American Mafia

Kings and Generals

24 Sept 202020:08

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script delves into the rise of American mobsters during the Prohibition era, highlighting how the ban on alcohol led to the empowerment of criminals like Al Capone. It traces the origins of organized crime to 19th-century immigrant struggles and the formation of early gangs. The script details the transformation of these groups into powerful criminal empires, the impact of Prohibition, and the eventual establishment of the American Mafia with its rules and structure. Despite the repeal of Prohibition, the influence of organized crime persisted, shaping the underworld even today.

Takeaways

📚 The script provides historical context on the rise of organized crime in the United States, focusing on the era of Prohibition.
🌐 It discusses the impact of mass immigration in the late 19th century and how it contributed to the formation of early gangs in American cities.
🗝️ The video highlights the role of nativist sentiment and societal resistance to immigrants, which led to limited opportunities and pushed some towards crime.
🦊 It describes the evolution of American gangs, starting with the Irish Dead Rabbits in the 1830s, and the subsequent rise of Jewish and Italian gangs like the Eastman Gang and Paul Kelly's organization.
🍻 The Prohibition era is identified as a turning point that allowed criminals to amass significant power and wealth through illegal alcohol trade.
🤑 Al Capone's story is used to illustrate the rise of mobsters who became incredibly wealthy and influential during Prohibition, despite his eventual downfall due to tax evasion.
🔫 The script details the violent tactics used by gangsters to maintain control and the escalation of mob warfare, which eventually led to a negative public perception.
👥 It mentions the formation of alliances and the unification of different ethnic gangs into a more organized and powerful criminal network, spearheaded by figures like Lucky Luciano.
🕊️ The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 did not end organized crime; instead, criminal empires diversified into other illegal activities.
👮‍♂️ The script suggests that despite efforts to combat organized crime, its roots run deep in American society and it persists to this day.
🎬 The Kings and Generals channel, which produced the script, invites viewers to follow for more content on the history of criminal syndicates.

Q & A

Why was Al Capone finally caught by the U.S. justice system?
-Al Capone was caught due to a technicality related to tax evasion, as the court proceedings focused on missing tax returns and unreported income.
What era is associated with speakeasies, the tommy gun, and illicit bootlegging?
-The era associated with speakeasies, the tommy gun, and illicit bootlegging is the Prohibition era in the United States.
How did the era of Prohibition contribute to the rise of American mobsters?
-The era of Prohibition allowed mobsters to become powerful by providing them with opportunities to control the illegal alcohol trade, which was previously managed by legal businesses.
What role did Babbel play in the creation of this video?
-Babbel, the language learning app, sponsored the video, and the creators used it to refresh their knowledge of the Russian language for their series on Russian history.
Why did many immigrants in the late 19th century turn to organized crime?
-Many immigrants turned to organized crime due to the lack of respectable job opportunities and the harsh living conditions in slums, which forced them to seek alternative means to make a living.
What significant event in 1892 affected the lives of many immigrants in the United States?
-The opening of the federal processing station on Ellis Island in 1892 affected the lives of many immigrants as it became the entry point for millions of people seeking new opportunities in the United States.
Which gang was known for its violent resistance against class oppression in the 1830s in New York?
-The Dead Rabbits was the gang known for its violent resistance against class oppression, primarily composed of poor Irishmen in the Five Points area of New York.
What was the significance of John 'Old Smoke' Morrissey in the history of organized crime in America?
-John 'Old Smoke' Morrissey was significant as he rose from being a leader of the Dead Rabbits to becoming a kingpin in New York's gambling scene and later a member of the United States Congress, showing that violence could be a path to wealth and power.
How did the Prohibition era impact the growth of criminal organizations in the United States?
-The Prohibition era impacted the growth of criminal organizations by providing them with a lucrative illegal market to supply alcohol, which transformed them from local gangs into powerful international businesses.
What was the role of the Anti-Saloon League in the lead-up to the Prohibition era?
-The Anti-Saloon League played a leading role in lobbying for the total prohibition of alcoholic beverages, which eventually led to the passing of the 18th Amendment and the start of the Prohibition era.
How did Charles 'Lucky' Luciano's vision for organized crime differ from the traditional Sicilian Cosa Nostra?
-Charles 'Lucky' Luciano envisioned a new world order where different ethnic gangs, including Jewish, Irish, and Italian, could work together and enrich one another, in contrast to the traditional Cosa Nostra's conservative stance of only working with Sicilians.
What significant event in 1929 brought negative public attention to the mobsters involved in the illegal alcohol trade?
-The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929, where seven members of George 'Bugs' Moran's Northsiders gang were murdered in a brazen public execution, brought negative public attention to the mobsters involved in the illegal alcohol trade.
What was the outcome of Al Capone's trial in 1931?
-In 1931, Al Capone was found guilty of tax evasion and jailed, but his arrest had little impact on the overall organized crime landscape, as the Mafia's influence had already permeated various levels of American society.
How did the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933 affect organized crime in the United States?
-The repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933, which ended Prohibition, did not significantly reduce organized crime. Instead, criminal empires continued to grow and diversified their illegal activities into other areas such as gambling, loan sharking, and drug trafficking.

Outlines

00:00

🕵️‍♂️ The Rise of American Mobsters

This paragraph sets the stage for a historical exploration of organized crime in America, focusing on the era of Prohibition. It describes the trial of Al Capone, a notorious mobster, and delves into the origins of American mobsters, including the waves of immigration in the late 19th century that led to the formation of various gangs. The paragraph also touches on the influence of the Tammany Hall political organization and the rise of figures like John Morrissey, who exemplified the path from violent beginnings to wealth and power.

05:05

🤺 Gangs and Turf Wars in New York

This section delves into the underworld of New York City, detailing the rise of various gangs such as the Eastman Gang and the Italian mob led by Paul Kelly. It discusses the influence of Tammany Hall in the political manipulation of these gangs and the infamous boxing match between Kelly and Monk Eastman. The paragraph also highlights the involvement of secret societies like the Camorra and Cosa Nostra in the formation of American gangs and the complex ethnic dynamics within these groups.

10:05

🍻 Prohibition and the Boom of Criminal Empires

The third paragraph discusses the impact of the 18th Amendment and the Prohibition era on the growth of organized crime in the United States. It describes how the ban on alcohol led to the proliferation of speakeasies and the rise of powerful mobsters like Al Capone and Arnold Rothstein. The paragraph also introduces Charles 'Lucky' Luciano and his vision for a unified criminal underworld that transcended ethnic lines, setting the stage for a new era in American organized crime.

15:06

🔪 Violence, Power Struggles, and the End of Prohibition

This final paragraph details the violent struggles for power among mobsters, including the infamous Saint Valentine's Day Massacre and the rise of Lucky Luciano as a key figure in organized crime. It discusses the formation of 'the Commission' and the establishment of a new order in the American Mafia. The paragraph concludes with the repeal of Prohibition and the continued growth and diversification of criminal enterprises, noting that organized crime remains a fixture in American society.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Al Capone

Al Capone was a notorious American mobster, businessman, and racketeer who dominated organized crime in Chicago during the Prohibition era. He is a central figure in the video, representing the rise of powerful criminals during the time of speakeasies and illicit bootlegging. The script mentions his trial for tax evasion, which was a turning point in the fight against organized crime, despite his earlier seeming invincibility.

💡Prohibition

Prohibition refers to the period from 1920 to 1933 during which the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages were banned in the United States under the 18th Amendment. The video explains how Prohibition inadvertently fueled the growth of organized crime, as criminals like Capone took control of the illegal alcohol trade, leading to the rise of speakeasies and a massive increase in their power and wealth.

💡Speakeasy

A speakeasy is an illicit bar or nightclub that operated during the Prohibition era. The term is derived from the phrase 'speak softly', as patrons needed to speak quietly about these venues to avoid detection by the police. The video uses speakeasies as a symbol of the underground culture that thrived due to the ban on alcohol, highlighting how they became a hallmark of the era and a source of immense profit for mobsters.

💡Organized Crime

Organized crime refers to criminal activities conducted by extensive and hierarchical criminal enterprises. The video discusses the origins and growth of American mobsters, showing how they became powerful during Prohibition and beyond. Organized crime is the overarching theme of the video, detailing how it permeated various levels of society and persisted even after the repeal of Prohibition.

💡Tax Evasion

Tax evasion is the illegal act of willfully failing to report income, deductions, or credits, thereby reducing the amount of taxes owed. In the context of the video, Al Capone's arrest and jailing on charges of tax evasion symbolize a significant moment in the U.S. justice system's battle against organized crime. It illustrates the legal strategies used to combat criminals who were otherwise seemingly untouchable.

💡Mobster

A mobster is a criminal who is a member of the organized crime syndicate. The video provides a historical account of the rise of mobsters in the United States, focusing on their involvement in illegal activities such as bootlegging during Prohibition. Mobsters like Al Capone and 'Lucky' Luciano are featured as key figures who shaped the era of organized crime.

💡Illicit Bootlegger

An illicit bootlegger is someone who smuggles or sells alcohol illegally, particularly during the Prohibition era. The video describes how the ban on alcohol production and sales led to a thriving black market, with bootleggers becoming key players in the distribution of illegal alcohol, thus contributing to the rise of organized crime.

💡Tammany Hall

Tammany Hall was the political organization that played a significant role in the history of New York City and was known for its corruption and control of local politics. The video mentions Tammany Hall's involvement with gangs, illustrating how they used mobsters for political gain through bribery, extortion, and voter fraud, showing the deep entanglement of politics and organized crime during that era.

💡Five Points Gang

The Five Points Gang was an Irish-American gang that was active in the Five Points neighborhood of New York City during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The video references the Five Points Gang as an early example of organized crime in America, highlighting the gang's role in the development of the criminal underworld and its influence on later mobsters.

💡Cosa Nostra

Cosa Nostra, meaning 'Our Thing' or 'This Thing of Ours' in Italian, is a term used to refer to the Italian-American Mafia. The video discusses the origins of Cosa Nostra and its strict code of silence, omertà, as well as its hierarchical structure and initiation rituals. It also explains how 'Lucky' Luciano helped modernize and unify the American Mafia, moving away from the conservative roots of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra.

💡Saint Valentine's Day Massacre

The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre refers to the notorious 1929 murder of seven members of Chicago's North Side Gang on Valentine's Day. The video mentions this event as a turning point in public perception of mobsters, illustrating the brutality of gang warfare and the lengths to which mobsters like Al Capone would go to maintain control.

Highlights

June 30th, 1931 marked the trial of the notorious mobster Al Capone for tax evasion, highlighting the era of organized crime during Prohibition.

The rise of American mobsters like Al Capone was enabled by the era of Prohibition, which allowed them to become powerful criminals.

Babbel, the leading language learning app, is sponsored in this video series, emphasizing the importance of language in historical research.

Immigrants in the late 19th century faced nativist sentiment and were often relegated to menial jobs and slum living conditions.

Organized crime in America has roots in the 1830s with Irish gangs like the Dead Rabbits emerging in response to class oppression.

John 'Old Smoke' Morrissey, a prominent leader of the Dead Rabbits, used his influence to enter politics and advocate for the Irish.

The Eastman Gang and Paul Kelly's Italian mob were significant forces in New York's criminal underworld, engaging in a bloody turf war.

Tammany Hall, a Democratic Party organization, used mobsters for political purposes, including bribery and voter fraud.

Secret societies like the Camorra and Cosa Nostra had a significant influence on the formation of American gangs.

The White Hand Gang, composed of Irish factions, was known for its resistance against the Italian advance in organized crime.

Prohibition led to the rise of speakeasies and bootlegging, greatly expanding the influence and wealth of mobsters like Al Capone.

Al Capone's criminal empire in Chicago included numerous underground breweries, distilleries, speakeasies, racetracks, and brothels.

Arnold Rothstein, a prominent bootlegger during Prohibition, was allegedly involved in fixing the 1919 World Series.

Charles 'Lucky' Luciano envisioned a unified criminal world where different ethnic gangs could cooperate for mutual benefit.

The violence and corruption associated with Prohibition eventually led to its repeal in 1933, but the criminal empires persisted.

Lucky Luciano's rise to power and the formation of 'the Commission' marked a new era of organized crime in the United States.

Despite Al Capone's arrest for tax evasion in 1931, the influence of the Mafia continued to grow and diversify.

Transcripts

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Takeaways

Q & A

Why was Al Capone finally caught by the U.S. justice system?

What era is associated with speakeasies, the tommy gun, and illicit bootlegging?

How did the era of Prohibition contribute to the rise of American mobsters?

What role did Babbel play in the creation of this video?

Why did many immigrants in the late 19th century turn to organized crime?

What significant event in 1892 affected the lives of many immigrants in the United States?

Which gang was known for its violent resistance against class oppression in the 1830s in New York?

What was the significance of John 'Old Smoke' Morrissey in the history of organized crime in America?

How did the Prohibition era impact the growth of criminal organizations in the United States?

What was the role of the Anti-Saloon League in the lead-up to the Prohibition era?

How did Charles 'Lucky' Luciano's vision for organized crime differ from the traditional Sicilian Cosa Nostra?

What significant event in 1929 brought negative public attention to the mobsters involved in the illegal alcohol trade?

What was the outcome of Al Capone's trial in 1931?

How did the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933 affect organized crime in the United States?