The Rise of the Italian Mafia in New York

The Italian mafia, also known as the Cosa Nostra, has been a notorious criminal organization for over a century. In the United States, the mafia has had a significant presence in New York City, with five major crime families controlling the criminal underworld. These five families are the Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Colombo, and Bonanno families.

The Hierarchy:

Before delving into the details of their history let us first understand the hierarchy of positions in these families and how they work from the very top to the bottom.

At the top of the hierarchy is the boss, also known as the capo di tutti capi, which translates to "boss of all bosses." This person is the ultimate leader of the crime family and is responsible for making all major decisions and directing the activities of the other members. The boss is also responsible for maintaining relationships with other crime families and ensuring that the family's interests are protected.

The underboss, also known as the capo bastone, is the second in command and acts as the right-hand man of the boss. The underboss is responsible for carrying out the boss's orders and managing the day-to-day operations of the family. He also acts as a mediator between the boss and the other members of the family and is responsible for maintaining discipline and order within the family.

Next in the hierarchy are the consiglieri, also known as the advisors, who act as counsellors to the boss and the underboss. They provide advice and guidance on important matters and are responsible for mediating disputes and conflicts within the family. The consiglieri are often chosen for their intelligence, wisdom, and loyalty to the family.

The caporegime, also known as the captains, are the next level of leadership within the crime family. They are responsible for managing and overseeing the activities of the soldiers, who are the lower-ranking members of the family. The caporegime are responsible for ensuring that the soldiers carry out the orders of the boss and the underboss, and for reporting any issues or problems to the higher-ranking members of the family.

The soldiers, also known as the soldati, are the lowest-ranking members of the crime family. They are responsible for carrying out the orders of the caporegime and the other higher-ranking members of the family. They may be involved in activities such as extortion, racketeering, and drug trafficking, and are often the most visible members of the mafia to the public.

The History:

The Italian mafia in New York City is a complex and powerful criminal organization that has a strict hierarchy of positions within its various crime families. The boss, underboss, consiglieri, caporegime, and soldiers all play important roles in the organization, and their responsibilities and activities are closely intertwined. Understanding the different roles and responsibilities of these positions is essential for understanding the inner workings of the mafia and the ways in which it exerts its influence over the city.

The origins of the Italian mafia in New York can be traced back to the late 19th century when waves of Italian immigrants arrived in the city. Many of these immigrants were from Sicily, where the mafia had been a powerful force for centuries. As they settled in New York, they brought their criminal traditions with them, and the mafia began to take root in the city.

The rise of the five major crime families in New York can be attributed to a number of factors. One of the main reasons was the growing demand for illegal activities, such as gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking, during the Prohibition era in the 1920s. The mafia was able to capitalize on this demand, and they quickly established themselves as the dominant criminal force in the city.

Another factor that contributed to the rise of the mafia in New York was the lack of law enforcement in certain areas of the city. Many of the neighbourhoods where the mafia operated were considered "no-go" zones, where the police and other authorities were afraid to go. This allowed the mafia to operate with impunity, and they were able to expand their criminal empire.

The five major crime families in New York have had a significant impact on the city's criminal underworld. According to statistics, the Gambino crime family, which was once headed by notorious mobster John Gotti, was estimated to have made over $500 million per year from illegal activities. The Genovese crime family, which is considered the most powerful of the five families, was estimated to have made over $1 billion per year.

The Lucchese crime family was known for its involvement in labour racketeering, extortion, and loan sharking. The Colombo crime family was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and loan sharking. The Bonanno crime family was known for its involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and labour racketeering.

Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the Italian mafia remains a powerful force in New York City to this day. However, the organization has been significantly weakened in recent years due to increased law enforcement pressure and internal conflicts. Many of the top leaders of the five major crime families have been arrested and convicted, and the organization has lost much of its power and influence.