Basics of the Mafia: The 1920’s

“Betray the Family and you will burn like this saint.”

-Mafia Boss during a signing of the Omerta

Introduction

As one could infer by glancing over the preceding quote, organized crime groups, or Families, were very close-knit organizations. Each member respected his fellow mobster as his brother. Once you were initiated and accepted as a member of the Family, there was no going back.

When one ponders over what the Mafia – specifically what the American Mafia – is, they may come to a conclusion that it is an image of several young men, sharply dressed in fedora hats, strangling the life out of an offender. While that does occur, and while that is the memory that can remain most prevalent in many people’s minds, that is not what the Mafia is about. They would rather seek peace, receive their dues and respects, and not have to take life from a debtor.

Origin

While there were some exceptions (as in popular culture “Scarface”), Mafia Families that most people think of originate in Italy or Sicily. The American Mafia, up until around 1960’s, would not permit anyone of background other than Italian or Sicilian into the ranks of their Family. If you would like a cultural reference to refer to during this entire essay, simply think of “The Godfather”. While this is entirely fictional, the structure, basis, origin, and cultural references are all in tact and accurate with regards to the Mafia.

History of American Mafia

When Sicilian and Italian immigrants came to American, they came with the intention of reestablishing their broken criminal organizations with a fresh palette. However, success was limited, contrary to Italy or Sicily. American Mafia exploded in productivity during prohibition, and continued to have financial success up until the 60’s. It’s simple, as illustrated:

Alcohol is Readily Available in the United States

(Mafia has limited success marketing it)

Alcohol is Banned during Prohibition

(Mafia is successful because it is the only means of obtaining it, aside from brewing it yourself)

After the sale of alcohol boomed, drugs, especially cocaine and heroin, took root in the Mafia. More people joined Families as low-level Associates and began to pedal drugs for money towards the mob’s profit. 1920-1950 is the Mafia’s “Golden Age” in the United States. There are still crime Families today, however they are much weaker in relation to other things, such as unorganized gangs, and the government itself.

Revenue

There was a period of time in which the Mafia generated more money for itself than did the government. Simple sales of drugs were not the only means of financial success – there was also kidnapping, contract killings, casinos, bars, and other business ownership, of course loan sharking and various other methods of generating funds. If you would like to place a number on it, during the Golden Age the Mafia would generate approximately $46 billion a year – remember to consider inflation.

Structure of Families

The Administration

While each Family may have had certain variations on this structure, it was basically the same throughout. As demonstrated by the illustration below, a Mafia crime Family would consist of one leader. This leader may be called interchangeably Don, Godfather, Boss, or Capofamiglia (Cah-po-fah-mig-lia). This is the only member of a Family who is authorized to issue hits, or killings, on anyone else. He controls everything that goes on in the Family. He may, at any time, make any order, and it is to be followed without question by whomever he assigns the task to. He decides to “hit the mattresses” (go to war with another group or another crime Family), sell ownership of an establishment, move the Family, etc. The only one who may openly question the Don’s decisions is the Consigliere, which we’ll discuss later. The next step down from the Boss is the Underboss, or Sotto Capo. This man acts as the Boss when he is unavailable, and may issue orders to any of the Capos, with the Don’s discretion of course. At the right hand of the Capofamiglia is the Consigliere (Con-sig-lee-air-ee). This gentleman may be considered, at the will of the Godfather, to be part of the Administration (top officials in the Family, consisting of the Capofamiglia, Sotto Capo, and sometimes Consigliere), or he may simply act as an advisor and not as an official. Either way, the Consigliere acts as a counsel to the Don. This person advises his decisions and may offer advice regarding matters at hand. He may also suggest certain action to the Boss. He is the only person authorized to question the Don’s decisions. The Boss should choose the person he trusts most dearly to act as his Consigliere.

Made Men/True Family

Directly under the Administration, we have the Capos. There may be as many Capos as the Boss requires. Capos report to the Administration for orders, and command groups of Soldati. Each group may consist of 5-30 Soldati, and are considered true Family, unlike lower-level Associates. Capos have more pull than the average Soldato in the Family, however cannot issue hits on their own.

Soldati – plural of Soldato, were the “Made Men” of the Family. These soldiers have pledged their allegiance to the Family and have sworn the Oath of Silence, or the Omerta. No one below Soldati is considered Family.

Low-Level/Peons

Associates were never considered true members of the Family. These are men who may be drug dealers for the mob, or may be individual businessmen who got a loan from the Family. These men may fight for the Family occasionally, and will be given protection by the Mafia; however they were not considered men of honor within the Family ranks. Associates make up the largest portion of any typical crime Family.

Famous Gangsters/Families from the 20’s

Alphone “Al” Capone – Literally controlled Chicago throughout the duration of the 20’s. Was finally apprehended for tax evasion and died in prison. Arguably the most powerful man to have lived in the United States.

Tommy Pennochio – Had power in NYC through bootlegging alcohol.

Salvatore Lucania (Luciano), Meyer Lansky, Frank Costello, Benjamin Siegel, Joe Adonis, Abner Zwillman, Nucky Johnson, Waxey Gordon, Nig Rosen, Johnny Torrio – Formed the “Seven Group”, providing a combined forces deal to generate a vast amount of revenue off of liqueur sales.

Frank Uale – Believed to have been a mentor of Al Capone. Very influential in the forming of powerful Chicago Mafiosi.