Gengster

A gangster or mobster is a criminal who is a member of a crime organization, such as a gang. The terms are most commonly used in reference to members of the criminal organizations associated with American prohibition and the American offshoot of the Italian Mafia, such as the Chicago Outfit or the Five Families, and individuals such as Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel. Gangsters are frequently romanticized in popular culture in films such as The Godfather series and TV shows like The Sopranos. The word "mobster" is a term derived from Latin and Aramaic. The word mobi means large gathering in Aramaic, and similarly, mob in Latin means crowd. The full term mobster means member of a crowd. In modern slang, the term "gangster" or "gangsta" is associated with being powerful, admirable or street smart.

History of Gangsters

The prototype for the sophisticated career criminal organization dates back to at least the Thugee culture, believed to have operated from at least the 17th century, and possibly as early as the 13th century. Until the 19th century, the ‘thug’ culture maintained hierarchy, symbols, initiation, planning, organisation much like modern day criminal organizations. Throughout the 1800’s in America, outlaws ruled the west, such as Billy the kid and the James gang. As the American society and culture developed, new immigrants were migrating to the U.S. One of the first influential and popular gang was the [[Five Points Gang Ran by Italian immigrant Paolo Antonini Vaccarelli and his accomplice Johnny Torrio, the Five Points Gang became the most significant gang to arise on the streets of America During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the streets of New York were ruled by Irish Gangs (Whyos, Dead Rabbits and Plug Uglies) and other Jewish gangs like the Monk Eastman gang. These immigrants came to America and controlled and ran the streets all over major U.S. cities.They recruited local New Yorkers which led to popularity in gangs. Al “Scarface” Capone became one of the most influential gangsters in to 20’s and 30’s. As more gangs began to develop across the country, so did the racial prejudices associated with them. In Los Angeles, gangs developed in the African American culture during the 1920’s. The number of gangs continued to increase which eventually led to the Crips and Bloods. By 1971, the Crips were at their strongest. The Pirus decided to separate themselves from the Crips and eventually became known as the Bloods

Gangsters of the American Prohibition Era

The stereotypical image and myth of the American gangster is most closely associated with the organized crime entities of the Prohibition era of the 1920s and 1930s. In 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution banned the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol for consumption. Many gangs sold alcohol illegally for tremendous profit, and used acute violence to stake turf and protect their interest. Often, police officers and politician were paid off or extorted to ensure continued operation. In 2 years, Al Capone made over $60 million dollars. Because of the tremendous amount of money involved in this illegal business, it was impossible to stop. Powerful Gangsters would bribe or even murder anyone who came in their way. They even bribed police officers to be their spies and they also bribed politicians. The money spent on bribes was far less than the actual money made from this illegal business. With prohibition, there was an increase in crime and an increase in alcohol related deaths. Gangsters now controlled the streets and people were killing each other over this issue. The government had no other choice but to repeal this act in 1933.

Cultural Influence

Gangs and gangsters impacted and still do impact the American culture greatly. In the early 1900’s, gangsters controlled the streets and were the leading cause of violence. They influenced the law and higher authorities; they almost became the law. They were portrayed by violence and money and this appealed the American culture. People started to want to be a gangster instead of it being a last resort for survival. As time continued, the media took over the gangster image. It soon turned into “gangsta” instead of gangster. In current society, people are labeled and gangsta and are not even part of a gang. Gangster is now an image instead a way of life.