Gangster: A Brief Overview
A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang or an organized crime group. Gangsters are involved in various illegal activities such as gambling, prostitution, drug trafficking, extortion, murder, and racketeering. Gangsters have been around for centuries and have influenced many aspects of culture, politics, and economy in different regions of the world.
In this article, we will explore the history and characteristics of some of the most notorious types of gangsters, as well as their portrayal in popular culture. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about gangsters.
gangster
European Gangsters
Europe has been home to many gangs and criminal organizations throughout history. Some of the most well-known ones are:
The Italian Mafia: The Mafia is a network of clans or families that originated in Sicily in the 19th century and later expanded to other parts of Italy and abroad. The Mafia is known for its code of silence (omertà), its hierarchical structure (boss, underboss, consigliere, capo, soldier), and its involvement in various crimes such as extortion, murder, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, and political influence. Some of the most famous Mafia figures include Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Carlo Gambino, John Gotti, and Salvatore Riina.
The Irish Mob: The Irish Mob is a term used to describe various gangs of Irish origin or descent that operate in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries. The Irish Mob emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a result of immigration, poverty, discrimination, and competition with other ethnic groups. The Irish Mob is known for its involvement in bootlegging, gambling, labor racketeering, robbery, murder, and political corruption. Some of the most famous Irish Mob figures include Whitey Bulger, Mickey Spillane, Danny Greene, and Jimmy Hoffa.
The British Gangs: The British Gangs are a term used to describe various gangs or criminal groups that operate in Britain or have British origins. The British Gangs date back to the 18th century and have been involved in various crimes such as theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, violence, drug trafficking, and terrorism. Some of the most famous British Gangs include The Peaky Blinders, The Kray Twins, The Great Train Robbers, The Brink's-Mat Robbers, and The Hatton Garden Robbers.
Asian Gangsters
Asia has also been a fertile ground for gangs and criminal organizations. Some of the most notorious ones are:
The Japanese Yakuza: The Yakuza is a term used to describe various groups or syndicates that originated in Japan in the 17th century and later expanded to other countries. The Yakuza is known for its strict code of conduct (ninkyodo), its elaborate tattoos (irezumi), its ritualized finger-cutting (yubitsume), and its involvement in various crimes such as gambling, prostitution, loan-sharking, extortion, murder, corruption, and human trafficking. Some of the most famous Yakuza figures include Kazuo Taoka, Susumu Ishii, Yoshinori Watanabe, and Shinobu Tsukasa.
The Chinese Tri - The Chinese Triads: The Triads are a term used to describe various groups or societies that originated in China in the 17th century and later spread to other countries. The Triads are known for their secret rituals (sanhehui), their symbolic emblems (dragon, tiger, phoenix), their numerical codes (36, 49, 108), and their involvement in various crimes such as smuggling, piracy, kidnapping, murder, corruption, and drug trafficking. Some of the most famous Triad figures include Du Yuesheng, Lai Changxing, Broken Tooth Koi, and Wan Kuok-koi.
The Indian D-Company: The D-Company is a term used to describe a criminal organization that was founded by Dawood Ibrahim in Mumbai, India in the 1970s and later expanded to other countries. The D-Company is known for its involvement in various crimes such as extortion, murder, terrorism, counterfeiting, money laundering, and drug trafficking. Some of the most famous D-Company figures include Chhota Rajan, Chhota Shakeel, Tiger Memon, and Abu Salem.
American Gangsters
America has witnessed the rise and fall of many gangs and criminal organizations. Some of the most prominent ones are:
Mafia-related words
Gangster slang terms
Mob lingo
Gangster movies
Gangster rap
Gangster costumes
Gangster quotes
Gangster names
Gangster tattoos
Gangster games
Gangster books
Gangster clothing
Gangster history
Gangster documentaries
Gangster memes
Gangster cars
Gangster hats
Gangster love
Gangster nicknames
Gangster art
Gangster anime
Gangster outfits
Gangster music
Gangster films
Gangster style
Gangster romance novels
Gangster wallpaper
Gangster jokes
Gangster accessories
Gangster trivia
Gangster posters
Gangster facts
Gangster biographies
Gangster legends
Gangster stories
Gangster comics
Gangster cocktails
Gangster fonts
Gangster podcasts
Gangster hairstyles
Gangster sayings
Gangster characters
Gangster weapons
Gangster culture
Gangster codes of conduct
The Prohibition Era: The Prohibition Era was a period from 1920 to 1933 when the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol was banned in the United States. This led to the emergence of many bootleggers, speakeasies, rum-runners, and gangsters who profited from the illegal liquor trade. Some of the most famous Prohibition Era figures include Al Capone, Bugs Moran, Dutch Schultz, Arnold Rothstein, and George Remus.
The Rise of Organized Crime: The Rise of Organized Crime was a period from the 1930s to the 1950s when various gangs and criminal groups formed alliances and cooperated under a national syndicate known as the Commission. The Commission was composed of the leaders of the Five Families of New York (Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese), the Chicago Outfit, and other regional families. The Commission was responsible for regulating the activities of organized crime such as gambling, prostitution, loan-sharking, extortion, murder, corruption, and labor racketeering. Some of the most famous Organized Crime figures include Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Frank Costello, Vito Genovese, and Albert Anastasia.
The Modern Street Gangs: The Modern Street Gangs are a term used to describe various gangs or crews that operate in urban areas and suburbs in the United States and other countries. The Modern Street Gangs emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a result of social unrest, racial tension, poverty, and drug abuse. The Modern Street Gangs are known for their involvement in various crimes such as graffiti, vandalism, robbery, assault, murder, drug trafficking, and gun violence. Some of the most famous Modern Street Gangs include The Bloods, The Crips, The Latin Kings, The MS-13, and The Hells Angels.
Latin American Gangsters
Latin America has also produced many gangs and criminal organizations. Some of the most infamous ones are:
The Mexican Cartels: The Mexican Cartels are a term used to describe various drug trafficking organizations that operate in Mexico and other countries. The Mexican Cartels emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as a result of the decline of the Colombian cartels and the increased demand for cocaine and other drugs in the United States and Europe. The Mexican Cartels are known for their involvement in various crimes such as kidnapping, torture, murder, corruption, and terrorism. Some of the most famous Mexican Cartels include The Sinaloa Cartel, The Juarez Cartel, The Gulf Cartel, The Zetas, and The Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
The Colombian Drug Lords: The Colombian Drug Lords are a term used to describe various drug traffickers who operated in Colombia and other countries in the 1970s and 1980s. The Colombian Drug Lords were responsible for producing and distributing most of the cocaine and other drugs that entered the United States and Europe at that time. The Colombian Drug Lords are known for their involvement in various crimes such as bribery, assassination, bombing, and warfare. Some of the most famous Colombian Drug Lords include Pablo Escobar, Carlos Lehder, Griselda Blanco, and Gilberto and Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela.
The Brazilian Favelas: The Brazilian Favelas are a term used to describe the slums or shanty towns that are located in the outskirts of major cities in Brazil. The Brazilian Favelas are home to millions of poor and marginalized people who face social and economic challenges. The Brazilian Favelas are also controlled by various gangs or factions that operate in the drug trade and other criminal activities. The Brazilian Favelas are known for their involvement in various crimes such as robbery, murder, extortion, and violence. Some of the most famous Brazilian Favelas include Rocinha, City of God, Complexo do Alemão, and Vigário Geral.
Gangster Movies
Gangster movies are a genre of films that depict the lives and activities of gangsters and criminals. Gangster movies are often based on real events or inspired by historical figures. Gangster movies are popular among audiences because they offer a glimpse into the underworld, explore moral dilemmas, and showcase action and drama. Some of the most famous and influential gangster movies are:
Title
Year
Director
Cast
Plot
The Godfather
1972
Francis Ford Coppola
Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
The story of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American crime dynasty, and their rise and fall in the 1940s and 1950s.
Scarface
1983
Brian De Palma
Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Robert Loggia, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
The story of Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who becomes a ruthless drug lord in Miami in the 1980s.
Goodfellas
1990
Martin Scorsese
Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino
The story of Henry Hill, an Irish-Italian American who becomes involved with the Lucchese crime family in New York from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Pulp Fiction
1994
Quentin Tarantino
John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel
The story of several interrelated characters and their involvement in crime and violence in Los Angeles in the 1990s.
The Departed
2006
Martin Scorsese
Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen
The story of a cop who infiltrates the Irish Mob in Boston and a mobster who infiltrates the police force in a game of cat and mouse.
Conclusion
Gangsters are criminals who belong to gangs or organized crime groups. Gangsters have existed for centuries and have influenced many aspects of culture, politics, and economy in different regions of the world. Gangsters have also been portrayed in popular culture through movies, books, music, and games. Gangsters are fascinating and controversial figures who evoke curiosity and fear among people.
FAQs
Here are some common questions that readers might have about gangsters:
What is the difference between a gangster and a mobster?
A gangster is a general term for any criminal who is a member of a gang or an organized crime group. A mobster is a specific term for a gangster who is a member of the Mafia or a similar organization.
What is the difference between a gang and a cartel?
A gang is a group of criminals who share a common identity or affiliation based on ethnicity, territory, or activity. A cartel is a coalition of gangs or criminal organizations that cooperate to control a market or an industry such as drug trafficking or oil production.
What is the difference between a gangster rap and a hip hop?
Gangster rap is a subgenre of hip hop that emerged in the late 1980 s and 1990s and features lyrics that focus on the violent and criminal aspects of gangster life. Hip hop is a broader term for a cultural movement that encompasses music, art, fashion, and dance that originated in the 1970s and 1980s and features diverse styles and themes.
What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of being a gangster?
Some of the benefits of being a gangster are: earning money, gaining power, having respect, enjoying thrill, and belonging to a group. Some of the drawbacks of being a gangster are: risking arrest, facing violence, losing trust, facing guilt, and living in fear.
What are some of the ways to prevent or reduce gangsterism?
Some of the ways to prevent or reduce gangsterism are: providing education, creating jobs, offering counseling, enforcing laws, promoting alternatives, and raising awareness.
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