The Italian Mafia: The Bloody Face of History and the Mafia Bosses

The Italian mafia has become a brand because it has a more unique structure compared to other organized crime organizations. The Italian mafia, which is called a symbol of honor, was founded on violence, power, money and secrecy. Let’s take a closer look at the Italian mafia, which is the subject of many movies and books:


History of the Italian Mafia

italian mafia

If we look at the origins of the Italian mafia, unfortunately we cannot give an exact date. It has been shaped by the people and history of Sicily, which is constantly occupied and where many ethnic cultures coexist and cannot live freely on their own. Criminal organizations do not operate like public institutions. There are no documents or minutes. Therefore, it is not easy to obtain detailed information about the mafia.

The main basis adopted by someone in the mafia is secrecy. Information about the mafia cannot be obtained from members who are based on confidentiality. However, the following can be said about the Italian mafia: It is one of the oldest organized crime groups. It is said that the Italian mafia, which did joint work with some societies and groups, was once referred to as a cult.

King of Naples IV. After the French Revolution, Ferdinand founded MAFIA (Morte alla Francia Italia anela: Italy screams death to France.) inspired by a 1283 call for war against a possible French invasion. To this group, which is pronounced “mafia”, the people of Switzerland begin to pay a certain amount of tribute to protect their land and crops.

These formations, which emerged to protect the soil, continue to grow over the years. The mafia communities that exist in the Western Sicily region decide to compromise. They agree to unite under the umbrella of a confederation by compromise. Mafia communities, which continue to gain strength under the roof of the confederation, took economic activities under control in the 1900s.


The Era of Fascist Dictator Mussolini

italian mafia

The Italian mafia takes advantage of loopholes in the state’s authority. The mafia, which gradually gained strength, became an unacceptable formation within the fascist state understanding adopted during the Mussolini period. While the governments before Mussolini made an agreement with the Italian mafia, the Mussolini government begins to work to destroy the mafia. Mafia communities are surrounded and many members are arrested. Arrested members receive heavy penalties.

The Italian mafia begins to lose its power by taking a big blow in the power of Mussolini. II. Members imprisoned after World War II are released. Members who try to get together again try to restore their mafta communities, but they cannot succeed. Once the epicenter of Sicily, the mafia turns to Palermo. The new base of the Italian mafia is Palermo.


Fierce Mafia Bosses

1) Al Capone

italian mafia

One of America’s biggest mafia bosses, Al Capone is of Italian descent. The rise of Capone, nicknamed “Scarface” because of the scar on his face, begins in the 1920s. During this period when alcohol was prohibited, he entered the bootlegging business in Chicago. Then he becomes the mayor of that region and starts to run his business more comfortably. However, in 1929 he was tried for tax evasion. He died in 1947 in Alcatraz Prison, where he was detained.


2) Vito Cascio Ferro

italian mafia

Born in Palermo, Italy, Ferro settled in New York in 1901. Here he begins to collect tribute and becomes a fast growing mob boss. Ferro, who was arrested for murdering the police in 1909, escapes from prison and returns to Sicily. Known as the “Father of the Fathers”, Ferro was caught again in 1929 and this time he was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He lives quite comfortably in a luxury ward in the prison. All prisoners are released when American soldiers invade Italy. However, Ferro is forgotten in prison and dies of thirst.


3) Salvatore Lucania

Salvatore Lucania

He immigrated to America from Sicily with his family at a young age. He becomes one of the mafia bosses on the rise in America during the prohibition period. II. Lucaina, who was arrested before World War II, cooperates with American intelligence thanks to her connections in Sicily. After the war he flees to Cuba. He starts smuggling heroin in Cuba and dies in Sicily in 1962.


4) Salvatore Greco

Salvatore Greco

Greco is born into a mafia family. His father is killed in a vendetta, and Greco takes his place. It gets stronger day by day. He takes part in the Sicilian Mafia Commission. 1. When the Mafia Wars begin, he becomes one of the people who gives the death orders. After the Ciaculi Massacre, he is forced to flee to Venezuela.


5) Angelo La Barbera

Angelo La Barbera

Barbera and his brother Salvatore are the head of the Sicilian mafia. Barbera 1 in the Sicilian Mafia Commission. Convicted of the Mafia War. Barbera, who lived in various prisons during his imprisonment, was murdered in 1975 by three mafia members.


Movies About the Italian Mafia

1) Gomorrah (2008) | IMDb: 7.0

Director: Matteo Garrone

Cast: Gianfelice Imparato, Salvatore Abbruzzese, Toni Servillo

The script of the movie, which is about the Italian mafia, is adapted from the novel by master writer Roberto Saviano. It is about a criminal organization that has existed for many years in the Campania region of Southern Italy and has its roots in Naples and Caserto: the Camorra. Gomorrah is considered by film critics to be the most realistic mafia movie ever.


2) The Godfather – The Father (1972) | IMDb: 9.2

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino , James Caan

The script of the movie The Father, which is one of the most well-known films about the Italian mafia, is adapted from the book of Mario Puzo. It tells the story of the Corleone family, an Italian mafia who lived in 1940s and 1950s America. The wedding of Don Corleone’s daughter Connie begins with great happiness. Because the youngest son of the family, who is a war veteran, makes peace with Michael Don. But everything changes with an assassination attempt. Don becomes unable to manage business due to his injury. Thereupon, Michael and his older brother Sonny take over the business. The Corleones, who have declared war on other families, aim to bring a new rule to the mafia world.


3) Borsalino – Borsalino Gang (1970) | IMDb: 6.9

Director: Jacques Deray

Cast: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, Catherine Rouvel

At the funeral of his murdered friend, François Capella, Roch Siffredi promises to avenge him. Starting to work to find those who killed his friend, Roch finds that the fascist Italian gang leader Giovanni Volpone is behind the work. Then he kills Volpone’s brother first. Police chief Fanti, who seems to be collaborating with Roch, is also working to bring him down. After a short time, the places operated by Roch are started to be published one by one. His men are killed. Moreover, Roch is also captured by Volpone’s men.

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Kategoriler: Culture

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