The Mafia has been an organized crime network since Sicily’s inception. The Mafia operates gangs in Italy as well as the United States. The Mafia was initially a group formed to execute their own justices. It had no criminal connotations. “By 19th century, some groups emerged as private armies (or “mafie”) who extorted landowners for protection money. The mafia, an Italian-based gang, is now a well-known American organized crime group. American television often portrays them as a true reflection of their group values. “The American Mafia rose to power in 1920s Italy. However, they are distinct entities. They share traditions as omerta (a code of conduct or loyalty).” The Mafia has been featured in numerous American TV shows and movies over the centuries. The Mafia’s most well-known portrayals include “The Godfather” (above) and “The Sopranos (below).
The Mafia’s earliest days were marked by elite farmers who managed large estates of land for their owners absent. The land they cared for was their investment. Farmers wanted protection from the Mafia to protect their families and land. This protection was provided by the Mafia. Fascism gradually weakened the Mafia. Mussolini ordered many lower-ranking mobsters to be taken into prison in order to prove that violence within the Mafia was not acceptable under his control. “But, many Mafia members and particularly the more powerful were able adjust to the regime and camouflage in it. Many of them joined the Fascist National Party.” The Godfather – a movie about American gangsters set in the 1940s. The film revolves around Corleone’s Mafia family in New York. “It opens in the darkened office belonging to Don Vito Corleone (also known and portrayed by Brando), as he watches Connie’s wedding. Vito is almost killed by Michael, his youngest son. Michael has been away from the family’s business. Vito was there with Kay, his non-Italian girlfriend. Vito was in hospital recovering from his injuries. A gunman tried to attack Vito once more, but Kevin saved him. Michael decided to do the right thing and bring justice to his father. To bring justice to his dad’s name, Michael killed a corrupt officer captain and the man responsible for the hit on his father.
Michael killed the corrupt officer man and the father who ordered a murder on him, and fled the country for Sicily. Sonny, Vito’s oldest son is killed after he fled to Sicily. Michael is the victim of violence as his Sicilian-born wife is shot to death during an attempted on her husband’s life. Michael marries Kay, his ex-girlfriend after his wife dies. Vito also ends his feud with rival Mafia families. Michael succeeds Don’s legacy, and is able bring peace and success to his family. Michael sets out to eliminate all those who attacked the Corleones.
The Sopranos is considered one of television’s greatest shows. The Sopranos is an American crime drama that was popular for its excellent writing and fancy casting. The show also features themes like violence, gender roles, and Italian American family culture in a TV-friendly manner. The seven-season TV series follows Tony Soprano’s daily life as the Mafia boss. The television series follows Tony’s day-to-day life through the eyes of his therapist. He began seeing her after suffering panic attacks that caused him to develop blackout spells. His infidelity in marriage and violent Mafia lifestyle have caused problems with his family.
“The character Tony Soprano is said that John ‘The Eagle,’ the DeCavalcante crime-family boss, was inspired by Tony Soprano. The episode, titled Mob Money’, details this. Racketeering was what made the DeCavalcante Family rich. They controlled an important division of Laborers International Union North America.
They were able to control the union and funnel millions of dollars into the pockets of the mob. Riggi was convicted of racketeering in murder and sentenced to a time in prison. He was finally released in 2012. Riggi died in 2015 at the remarkable age of 90. The Sopranos revealed some truths, which were not hidden behind The Godfather’s show.
Because of its unique rules and connotations as gangs, the Italian-America Mafia was able to enter American history. Today, there are many changes in the Mafia. It’s harder to find corrupt cops or politicians who have been heavily influenced by Mafia. “But the FBI maintains La Cosa Nostra is the “foremost coordinated criminal threat against American society” and that it was the original group headed by Sicilian immigrants. “The feds estimate different Italian Mafia group have more that 3,000 members scattered across the nation, with their largest presence in New York and Philadelphia.” The Mafia had a significant impact on American and Italian culture, although it has declined over time. The Mafia gave the Italians a sense of family and connectedness. The Mafia, although an organized crime gang was involved, treated its members as family.
