American Mafia facts for kids
The American Mafia is a secret group of Italian American criminals in the United States. People also call it the Mob or just Mafia. Its members have a special name for it: Cosa Nostra, which means "Our Thing." This group is very active in big cities like New York City, Philadelphia, New England, Detroit, and Chicago. Smaller groups also work in places like Texas and Los Angeles. However, most of their activities happen in the Northeastern United States and Chicago.
A mafia is a type of organized crime group. Their main activities involve controlling certain areas, settling disagreements between criminals, and making sure illegal deals happen. The word "mafia" comes from the Sicilian Mafia, which is a similar group in Sicily, Italy.
The Mafia still makes a lot of money from illegal activities. Even though some people thought the Mob was disappearing, these groups still exist in and outside of New York.
Contents
What is the American Mafia?
The American Mafia is an organized crime group. It is made up of different "families" or groups. These families work together but also have their own territories. They often try to control illegal businesses.
How the Mafia Works
The Mafia operates like a secret society. Members usually have to be of Italian heritage. They follow strict rules and a code of silence. This code is called "Omertà." It means they must not tell outsiders about their activities.
- They often try to control illegal activities.
- They settle arguments between criminals.
- They make sure illegal agreements are kept.
Where the Mafia Operates
The American Mafia is found in many parts of the United States.
- New York City: This is where some of the biggest and most famous Mafia families are located.
- Chicago: Known for its own powerful Mafia group, often called "The Outfit."
- Other Cities: They also have a presence in cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and in the New England area.
Even though they are called "American Mafia," their roots are in Italy. Many early members came from Sicily and other parts of Southern Italy.
Images for kids
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Charles "Lucky" Luciano in 1948
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Sammy Gravano
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John Gotti just after his arrest in 1990.
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Jewish associate Meyer Lansky (right) worked with Lucky Luciano. He helped develop the American Mafia.
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See also
In Spanish: Mafia estadounidense para niños
