Organized Crime I.Criminal Networks A.Before Prohibition B.Growth C.Beer Wars D.The “Syndicate” II.The Idea of “Organized Crime” A.Progressive Political Economy B.Ethnic Stereotypes C.Functionalist Social Science III.Gang Busters A.Early Ambivalence B.The Corruption Crisis C.Calls for reform IV.Redefining the Problem A.The Great Depression B.Shifting Priorities

The Old Regime Retail –Saloons, nightclubs, & brothels Ethic Origins –Irish—Clan Na Gael –Jews– Prostitution, gambling, liquor, fencing, & smuggling –Italians– Mano Negro Non-lethal violence –Slugging, bombing Political control –Politicians in “vice wards” own joints “Big Jim” Colosimo and his saloon

Growth New attitude –Individualism –Consumerism –Hedonism Technology –Racing wire Prohibition

Beer Wars Illegal alcohol is $2B industry Urban gangs fight to control the market

“The Syndicate” Capone St. Valentine’s Day massacre, 1929 

Progressive Political Economy Political metaphor –Conspiracies –Machines –Trusts –Rings Class metaphor –Mob –Gang

Stereotypes Castellammarese War (1930-1) –Sicilian Immigrants “Moustache Petes” –Neapolitan-Americans “Lucky” Luciano –Jewish Americans Meyer Lansky Organized crime is as AMERICAN institution  Don Vito Cascio Ferro

Functionalist Social Science Focus –Culture –Environment –Law See crime as “functional” response to defect in law, injustice, or inequality View crime as a form of social organization –Landesco

Urban Ballyhoo Clownishly corrupt mayors –Chicago William “Big Bill” Thompson –NYC Jimmy “Beau James” Walker –Boston James “The Rascal King” Curley

Political Crisis McSwiggin assassination

Confronting Lawlessness Mayor Walker before the Seabury committee Frank Loesch (right), president of the Chicago Crime Commission Chicago reform mayor, William E. Dever

Federal Criminal Justice Wickersham Commission FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover

The Great Depression GNP falls 29% between 1929 and 1933 Unemployment jumped from 3.2 to 25.2% between 1929 and 1933

New Priorities New Deal 18 th Amendment repealed, December 5 th 1933 Congress passes Anti-Racketeering Law, May 1934 Fauerbach Brewery Bar, Madison Wisconsin