Autographed by:Andrew Gilchrist

Philip Maurice Henry Rowe 11

During the 1920’s there was an increase amount of organized crime because of prohibition and new lifestyles and the American dream.

Organized Crime may be defined as a systematically unlawful activity for profit on a city-wide, interstate, and even international scale.

Was protected by corrupt law enforcement and politicians.

32000 illegal businesses in 1920’s

The Mafia, also known as La Cosa Nostra, or “our thing”, is the umbrella name of several mob organizations in Sicily and the U.S.

“Mafia” was originally the name of an association of Sicilians who collaborated for protection and vigilante law enforcement during the Spanish occupation of the island.

Alphonse “Al” Capone, whose brief career as a Chicago mob boss made him into a legendary character, and generated an income of more than $100 million per year.

Charles “Lucky” Luciano, a Mafioso from Sicily, came to the U.S. during this era and is credited for making the American La Cosa Nostra what it is today.

RacketeeringBootleggingProstitutionNarcotics ExtortionMoney Laundering

http://www.history.com/video.do?name=americanhistory&bcpid=1681694255&bclid=1716440977&bctid=1727929748

May 11 - Chicago gambling racketeer James "Big Jim" Colosimo is killed outside his restaurant, allegedly by Alphones“Al," "Scarface" Capone.

Government enforcement has sent many high-ranking mob leaders to prison. A life of crime was no longer attractive as people chose to attend universities and pursue lawful careers.

A greater number of crime family recruits came from uneducated kids who had neither leadership skills nor the loyalty of past members.

The face of organized crime began to significantly change. New criminal gangs of Africans, Hispanics, Asians, Russians and South Americans competed with the traditional American Mafia. Motorcycle, or “biker”, gangs became a major rival of the mob.

The mob is still alive today only more discreet than it used to be. Thugs and uneducated, poor shot, high ego gangsters now are seen in today's time.

"Organized crime -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 27 Jan. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organized_crime>.

Organized Crime." United States History. Web. 27 Jan. 2010. <http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1596.html>.