Origins of the Mafia

Although the mafia has had it's strongest presence in America, their roots stretch all the way back to an island in the Mediterranean. Sicily, Italy is the birthplace of the modern day "mafia", otherwise known as "la cosa nostra" (our thing, this thing of ours). With the Napoleonic wars through World War I separated Sicilians from Rome, the law, and thus most of the corrupt and unstable Italian government. Being away from government, Sicilians developed their own form of rules and ways of life. The local Don of an area would be called on to sort out differences, bless marriages, and set the town standards for laws and mores. With these Dons eventually competing for power and money, they developed into a sophisticated secret society known in Italy and early America as "The Black Hand." Organized crime in Italy had begun, as these men became some of the most powerful men in Italy, as they had infiltrated nearly all of the government departments and organizations.

[Forum Boario, Rome, Italy] (LOC)

[New York Bank Note Co. notice] (LOC)

[The Vatican I, Rome, Italy] (LOC)

To be part of "this thing", one had to be "made", which would mean being of Italian descent, swearing an oath, and adhering to the mafia code of amerta, which is their code of silence. As Italians began to immigrate to the United States in the late 19th century, the Dons tried to create their "thing" here in the States as they had done in Sicily. The first of which was the city of New Orleans. Well known for being the first U.S. city with mass immigration from southern Europe, New Orleans was a goldmine for La Cosa Nostra with Pagonis 2 it's weak police force, prominent shipping ports and corrupt government. The two families vying for power were the Matranga's and Provenzanos, which was won by the Matrangas after the killing of police chief...