The Five Families and How Organized Crime Became Organized

Early Mafia

In the early 20th century, New York City's Mafia was a chaotic collection of competing groups. These groups, primarily composed of Italian immigrants from regions like Sicily, Calabria, and Naples, brought their criminal traditions to America. Gary Arndt explains how these groups engaged in activities such as extortion, protection rackets, and gambling, often preying on fellow Italian immigrants 1. The Mafia's power grew significantly during Prohibition, as they capitalized on the underground alcohol market to amass wealth and influence 2.

Organized crime wasn't always so organized. In the early 20th century in New York City, what we would call the Mafia was rather unorganized.

--- Gary Arndt

This period saw the rise of influential Mafia bosses like Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, who played pivotal roles in shaping the Mafia's future 2.

   

Black Hand

Before the Mafia's structured hierarchy, Italian gangs practiced a form of extortion known as the Black Hand. This method involved sending anonymous threats to fellow Italian immigrants, demanding money under the threat of violence or arson. Gary Arndt contrasts this with the Mafia's organized approach, noting that the Black Hand was chaotic and opportunistic 2. As the Mafia grew in power, they eliminated Black Hand operations, viewing them as unprofessional and disruptive to their more sophisticated enterprises.

The Black Hand was a form of extortion practiced by Italian criminals, primarily targeting fellow Italian immigrants in cities like New York.

--- Gary Arndt

Prohibition further accelerated the Mafia's evolution, allowing them to establish extensive bootlegging operations and solidify their control over New York's criminal underworld 2.