The Rise of the Mafia

    The American Mafia, an Italian-American organized crime network, with tasks in cities throughout the United States, especially in Chicago and New York rose to huge power during their great success in the illegal liquor trade in the 1920s Prohibition Era. During the 20th century, massive amounts of Italians moved to America in hope for a better life. In New York City, the number of Italians went from 250,000 to 500,000 immigrants and first generation Italian-Americans. During the 1920s Prohibition Era, when the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution banned the "sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic beverages", Italian-American gangs started the bootleg liquor business and made themselves into major criminals, skilled at smuggling, money laundering and bribing police officers. Of course the mafia found its way through the 18th Amendment because of the fact that alcohol was an essential part in their day. They jumped on the opportunity off the ban of alcohol, smuggled it and sold it in America for massive amounts of money. The mafia was either looked at as the worst organization ever or the best, but it had an important part in American history. The 1920s was the main rise for the mafia and the Prohibition was the main cause for the mafia's popularity. 

    There were many important mafia bosses during the 1920s including Al Capone. He had worked for Johnny Torrin, who had later handed the business to Capone. Capone earned around 60 million dollars a year, only from alcohol. He had managed to bribe important politicians and Chicago policemen, which costed him around 75 million dollars per year. Although, that is how most became successful.