Summary

1) Definition of mafia
2) the rise of the mafia
3) origins and early history
4) structure and hierarchy
5) infamous mafia families
6) Salvatore Lucana
7) Al Capone
8) Mafia activities and crimes
9) the mafia’s influence and power
Definition of
Mafia
Code of Silence
Organized Criminal The Mafia is known for its strict code of
Network silence, or "omerta", where members are
The Mafia is a powerful organized crime
expected to never cooperate with law
syndicate that operates through an intricate
enforcement.
network of criminal activities and connections.

Family Illicit Activities

Structure The Mafia is involved in a wide range of illegal
The Mafia is structured like a family, with a activities, including extortion, money
hierarchical system of leadership, including laundering, racketeering, drug trafficking, and
bosses, underbosses, capos, and soldiers. murder.
The Rise of the
Mafia
1 Emergence in 19th Century
Sicily
The Mafia originated in the 19th century in
Sicily, Italy, where it emerged as a powerful
criminal organization exploiting political and
economic instability.
Prohibition Fuels
3 Expansion
The Prohibition era of the 1920s-1930s was
a major catalyst for the Mafia's growth, as it
monopolized the lucrative bootlegging
trade, accumulating immense wealth and
power.
2 Migration to the United
States
As Sicilian immigrants fled to the U.S. in the
late 1800s, the Mafia established a foothold,
quickly gaining influence through illegal
activities like bootlegging and extortion.
4 Diversification of Criminal
Enterprises
The Mafia expanded beyond bootlegging
into other illicit ventures like gambling, loan
sharking, and eventually, drug trafficking,
solidifying its position as a dominant
criminal force.
Origins and Early
History
1 Sicilian Roots
The origins of the Mafia can be traced back to the 19th century in Sicily, where it
emerged as a response to oppressive rule and the need for protection and power
among the disenfranchised.

Expansion to the
2 US
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian immigrants brought the Mafia's
code of silence and criminal enterprise with them when they arrived in the United
States, establishing a foothold in major cities like New York and Chicago.

Rise of
3 Prohibition
The Mafia's power and influence grew exponentially during the Prohibition era in the
1920s, as they took control of the lucrative bootlegging trade, smuggling and selling
illegal alcohol.
Structure and
Hierarchy
The Mafia is a highly structured criminal organization, with a
well-defined hierarchy and clear lines of command. At the top sits the
Commission, a governing body made up of the bosses of the major
Mafia families.

Below the Commission are the individual crime families, each led by a
"boss" who oversees all criminal activities. Beneath the boss are the
underboss, who acts as second-in-command, and the capos, who
lead crews of made men and associates.
 Infamous Mafia
Families
Bonanno Colombo
Genovese Gambino
Crime Family Crime Family
Crime Family Crime
Family The Bonanno crime The Colombo crime
The Genovese crime family is
The Gambino crime family was one of the family, also known as
one of the "Five Families" that
family was once the "Five Families" of the the Profaci crime
dominated organized crime in
most powerful crime Italian-American family, was one of
New York City. Led by
syndicate in the Mafia in New York the "Five Families" of
powerful bosses like Lucky
United States, led by City. Led by Joseph the Italian-American
Luciano and Frank Costello,
the infamous John Bonanno, they were Mafia in New York
they were known for their
Gotti. Their criminal involved in a wide City. They were
ruthless tactics and extensive
activities ranged from range of illegal involved in various
criminal enterprises.
racketeering and activities, including criminal enterprises,
extortion to money drug trafficking, including extortion,
laundering and gambling, and loan loan sharking, and
murder. sharking. murder.
Salvatore
Lucana
The Sicilian Ruthless and Powerful Legacy of
Mastermind Cunning Influence Infamy
Salvatore Lucania,
Luciano was known Luciano's influence Despite his eventual
better known as
for his ruthless extended far beyond conviction and
Lucky Luciano, was a
tactics and strategic the criminal deportation,
legendary
brilliance. He underworld. He Luciano's legacy as
Italian-American
eliminated rivals, maintained close the "Father of
mobster who rose to
forged alliances, and ties with politicians Modern Organized
power in the 1920s
expanded the Mafia's and law Crime" cemented his
and 1930s. He was
reach into various enforcement, using place in the annals of
the mastermind
illicit enterprises, bribery and American criminal
behind the modern
including intimidation to history, inspiring
American Mafia,
prostitution, protect his countless portrayals
restructuring the
narcotics, and operations and avoid in film and literature.
organization into a
gambling. prosecution.
cohesive national
Al Capone
Al Capone, also known as "Scarface," was one of the most notorious
crime bosses in American history. He rose to power during the
Prohibition era, leading a powerful criminal empire based in Chicago.

Capone was known for his ruthless tactics, including bribery, extortion,
and murder, as he sought to control the lucrative bootlegging and
gambling rackets in the city. His lavish lifestyle and brutal methods
made him a legend in his own time.
Mafia Activities and
Crimes
1. Extortion: Demanding money or other valuables from businesses and individuals through the threat
of violence or destruction of property.
2. Racketeering: Establishing monopolies over certain industries or services, such as garbage
collection or construction, and enforcing these monopolies through intimidation and violence.
3. Drug Trafficking: Importing, distributing, and selling illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin, and marijuana,
often through global trafficking networks.
4. Loan Sharking: Providing loans at exorbitant interest rates and using violence to enforce repayment,
often targeting vulnerable individuals and businesses.
5. Gambling: Operating illegal gambling operations, such as underground casinos, sports betting, and
numbers rackets, and using violence to maintain control.
The Mafia's Influence and
Power
Political
1 Infiltrating and corrupting government
officials

Economic
2 Controlling industries through extortion and money
laundering

Cultural
3 Romanticizing the Mafia through media and
popular culture

The Mafia's influence extended far beyond its criminal activities, permeating the highest levels of
government, business, and society. Through bribery, intimidation, and ruthless tactics, the Mafia families
wielded immense power, shaping political decisions, controlling lucrative industries, and even infiltrating
popular culture to glorify their criminal enterprises.