Why is it called the Italian Mafia?

Mafia (or cosa nostra) refers to a criminal organization that secretly associates, which originated in Sicily in the middle of19th century. With the immigration of Sicily and South Italy at the end of 19, the influence of mafia extended to the east coast of the United States and Australia [1]. In North sicilian, mafia usually refers to a criminal organization composed of Italians, and its members are not limited to.

Their power in the United States rose during the Great Depression and reached its strongest in the mid-20th century, until a series of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1960s to 1980s disintegrated their power. Their actions include assassination, illegal trading and obstruction of justice. Although their influence is not as good as before, it still affects American trend culture. Many movies, TV plays and even advertisements are related to their image or life.

Today, the word "mafia" refers not only to these Italian criminals. In other countries and regions of the world, there are mafia-like organizations, such as Russian mafia, Yakuza in Japan and triads in China. These elements are sometimes called local mafia, but the daily mafia still refers to this group of criminals in Sicily, USA. On the other hand, the Italian criminal organization also located in Naples is not called Mafia, but has another name "Camora".

Mafia-like organizations have existed in Italy for centuries, and there are different organizations in different regions. Until the 1950s, the Italian mafia was mainly concentrated in rural areas, but since then, it has spread to cities (such as Palermo), and then it has become a more international organization, focusing on drugs and prostitution. The Italian mafia takes the family as the unit, mainly represented by Sicily. There are similar organizations in other regions, such as Camorra in Naples.

There are similar organizations in other regions: Ndrangheta in Calabria, Sacra corona UNITA in Apulia and Camorra in Naples.

During the fascist dictatorship in Italy, Cesare Mori, the mayor of Palermo, used various special forces to resist mafia activities. Many mafia people were imprisoned under his suppression, and many others had to cross the ocean and leave their hometown. But in fact, the most important leaders of the Sicilian mafia are all members of the fascist organization MVSN. Only some low-level criminal suspects are involved in sen's behavior. Mainly for the needs of publicity. However, some people say that this is just another way of saying that American propaganda is trying to close the relationship and cooperation between the US government and the mafia in World War II. Many mafia members who escaped capture fled to the United States. Among them, Joseph Bonano, nicknamed Joe Banana, eventually led the American branch of the Mafia. In the process of 1943 attacking Italy, Americans took advantage of the comprehensive situation at that time and the connection between the American Mafia and Sicily. Lucky Luciano, who was serving his sentence in the United States at that time, and other mafia members suddenly became valuable patriots who participated in the American anti-fascist struggle. As a new American citizen, Luciano accepted the government's apology and returned to Sicily on 1946 to continue his activities.

It was not until Italy surrendered in World War II that the mafia became strong. However, in 1980s and 1990s, many famous mafia members were murdered in a series of "gang wars" between mafia. Among the new generation of mafia members, many people tend to focus on crimes with high IQ, while dismissing traditional extortion. In response to this progress, the Italian press used to call "Voice of Nuova" an organization reorganized as mentioned above.

Especially in Italy, the mafia has assassinated police prosecutors and judges for a long time, with the aim of frustrating the vigorous energy of police organs. In the United States, murder against state authority is very rare, mainly for fear of causing fierce resistance.

It is said that Dutch Schultz, a thug from the Netherlands, was killed by his accomplices, who were afraid that he would carry out the assassination of new york City Prosecutor Thomas Dewey.

In the United States, the influence of the mafia declined sharply in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This is due to the promulgation of RICO Law and similar laws, which criminalize organizations subordinate to illegal activities, and the government has also planned a witness protection plan. At the same time, death, marriage, shortage of Italians who immigrated to the United States and cultural assimilation led to the gradual disappearance of Italian-American mafia groups. The combination of the above factors led to the decline of the American mafia.

In the mid-20th century, the Mafia claimed to have infiltrated many trade unions in the United States, including the Transport Workers' Union, and its missing chairman Jimmy Hoffa was believed to have been assassinated by the Mafia. In 1980s, the American federal government made up its mind to successfully eliminate the influence of mafia in trade union organizations.

There is evidence that in Italy, through more perfect laws and the disintegration of the "silence criterion", tough law enforcement finally seems to have an advantage over mafia groups. In the process of fighting against the mafia military forces, many so-called Pentiti (members who accepted leniency and left the mafia) made great contributions to the government, such as Tommaso Buscetta. It is said that the mafia has retained a strong financial influence. Therefore, recent investigations often study the economic activities of suspicious elements.

In recent decades, it is speculated that Totori is one of the most famous figures with mafia connections. He ordered the murders of judges Giovanni falcone and Paolo Boselli.

Recently, giulio andreotti, a member of the Italian Catholic Democratic Party and former Italian Prime Minister, was accused of having ties with the Mafia, but he was finally acquitted because the trial involved acts beyond the prosecution period.

American Mafia (Italian origin) first gained power in new york, and then gradually developed from a small-scale business to a citywide or even international organization. In the early days, under the rule of the family named after five outstanding members (Bujano family, Kolobo family, gambino family, Genaux family and Luches family), the "Family" established the "Committee" as the highest arbitration unit in the "Family". At present, the American mafia has developed 26 families.

The mafia family inherited the traditional elitism of a few people; Therefore, a large family has about 100 full members, usually around 50-60, but almost more than multiple "partners".