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Criminals are born when the law of the land is weak. Criminals thrive when the law of the land fails. The Birth
In the mid-19th century Sicily was annexed by main-land Italy. During this period the government of Rome redistributed a large share of public and church land to private citizens. Thus, while the number of land-owners rose from 2,000 in 1816 to 20,000 in 1860, this boom (and freedom, if you so will) led to a new set problems. With an increase in the number of property owners, there was an increase in the number of property disputes. These disputes needed to be settled, contracts needed to be enforced, and properties needed to be protected. While the government had freely distributed the land, they could not (or did not) appoint the requisite police force to handle the effects these imposed changes would have. Thus, the lack of police force and an increase in problems resulted in people looking for local and viable solutions. Local Sicilian elites, especially in the more prosperous regions of western Sicily like Palermo, called upon ‘companies-at-arms’ to bring justice to thieves, settle disputes and to ensure return of stolen property in-exchange of a fee. These companies-at-arms, comprising of the most violent of men, thus gained power and began to replace the police. Often, they colluded with the thieves so caught, growing in number and power. Thus, the Mafia was born. The Boom
The mafia may have started off as ‘protection providing’ agency but with their ever-growing clout they moved on to more lucrative and dangerous businesses like ransom kidnappings, counterfeiting, murder & witness intimidation and robbery. The mafia meddled in politics and controlled the electorate votes, thus deciding who came to power. Their political allies would then help the mafia avoid prosecution while ensuring that the rival clan was destroyed. The Fall
When Mussolini came into power, he ordered the curbing and annihilation of the Sicilian Mafia. For the large part, his campaign was successful as mafia activity was immensely low between 1920s – 1940s. During that period, a few mafia bosses even defected to the States where they gained in power and prominence. The Second Chance
Post the Second World War, the ensuing chaos, poverty and upheaval saw the mafia rise once again. The mafia bought land from landowners in rural areas and spearheaded the construction boom in Sicily, where almost all construction permits were given to companies backed by mafia front-men. The 50s-60s witnessed the further proliferation of the mafia as it dwelled into drug smuggling. By the 1970s, the Sicilian mafia was refining and distributing herion to Europe and North America, where the increased supply caused increase in demand thereby raising the number of addicts. By 1982, the Sicilian Mafia controlled approximately 80% of the heroin business in north-eastern United States. Loyalty. Secrecy. Bravado. Silence.
This is the code the Sicilian Mafia lives by. The code that the law of the land fails to break. About Author
Sometimes I wish I was Shandler – quirky like Sheldon and sarcastic + funny like Chandler. But then, I am me. The girl who needs her life to be a collage of small joys, brain-tickling conversations and as impulsive as it is cautious. I am Hilonee Furia, writing for WAH Holidays India. I am responsible to write around tour and travel guide and packages, especially tour packages for rome and Europe.
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