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Some
of the most influential criminals in history got their start on
the Lower East Side of New York City...
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A wide variety
of social, political, and cultural movements emerged
out of the poverty of the Lower East Side during this
time period. The birth of organized crime and the
American gangster was one such culture to sprout out
of such a desperate environment. Crime was nurtured
and refined in this neighborhood during the 19th and
20th centuries. |
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This
website traces criminal activity in the area back
to the Post-Revolutionary
War period (c.1783-1829),
when many of Manhattan's gangs were loosely formed
bands of criminals who mainly committed robberies.
Many of these men were ex-soldiers or longshoremen
who found themselves out of work and out of luck.
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The
Irish & Nativist Era (c.1830-1869)
is when gangs really started to organize and actively
recruit in New York City. The Irish were fleeing the
Potato Famine in Europe, and native New Yorkers took
exception to the competition. Most native new Yorkers
were of English, Dutch, and African decent at this
time. |
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The
Jewish Mob Era
(c.1870-1919) was one of organization. Though
some Irish were still present and the Italian gangs
started operating around the same time, the Jewish
Mobs of the Lower East Side virtually set the blueprint
for which all other criminal organizations to follow
copied. |
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The
Italian Mob Era (c.1920-1949)
was a rebirth period. It was a new millennium, there
were new ways of doing things and new avenues of opportunity;
prohibition, for one, backfired on the government
and neighborhood thugs became wealthy players in the
International booze, arms, drugs, and gambling market. |
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The
Contemporary Crime Era (c.1950-present)
has the Italian Mafia expanding on what was set up
in the previous era; the five families of the Italian
mob still exist. Asian, Hispanic, Eastern European,
motorcycle, drug, and ethnic street gangs also rise
during time period. |
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If you have any tips, stories,
photos related to this website, please contact me!
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Website compiled by Eric Ferrara. Contact
him via East-Village.com
GangsOfNY.org, East-Village.com, EastVillageTours.com, AvenueA.org,
evcm.org
copyright 2001 - 2007 East Village Community Media
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