'The American mafia is often portrayed as the invisible and omnipotent criminal of the movie melodrama" ( Cummings and Volkman 4). "It is neither of them, but the American mafia is one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world" ( Cummings and Volkman 4). When the American mafia first started people did not pay much attention to the criminal acts that they did and the unholy morals that they stood for. That was until a man from Chicago by the name of Al Capone took the mafia from rags to riches from the late nineteen twenties well into the nineteen thirties. Thanks to Mr. Capone, the American mafia was well known, and became a great force to be dealt with in the world. Mr, Capone also made men of the mafia among the

As time progressed Gotti and his actions began to grow on Castellano. Gotti grew on Castellano so much that in "1980 Castellano appointed Gotti as Capo" (Elliot 2). This decision would cause Castellano to lose his life. Five years after Castellano appointed Gotti as Capo, Castellano and his body guard (Thomas Billiti) were both killed in front of Sparks's Steak House on "December 15, 1985" (O'Brian and Kurins 160). During the time of the murders Gotti was the number one suspect, but since the FBI didn't have any evidence, they weren't able to do anything. After the death of Castellano, Gotti took over as acting head boss.

Gotti and his gang started to hang out at the night clubs and restaurants that were owned by the mafia. The older wise guys would make them pick up messages and also do other jobs as well. Gotti would continue to do this well into his junior high school years. Gotti was an up and coming street child, and his record still continued to show it. It began to show so much that the authorities at "Franklin K. a junior high school, started to send warnings home"(Elliot 1). The warnings had no effect on Gotti. He did not really care because he was having the time of his life. Gotti was having such a good time that he dropped out of junior high. When he started to associate himself with the MOB, he and his gang, otherwise known as the "Fulton-Rockaway Boys" met a man by the name of Lucky Luciano who was the leader of the Mob at that time. Lucky had a reputation that everyone in the neighborhood knew about of his being a real tough guy. He was so tough that on "February 9,1946, he was exiled back to Italy" (Elliot 1). After Luciano was exiled, "Albert Anatasia took over the Mob" (O'Brien and Kurins 33). Even though the Mob had a new leader, life in the Mob was the same. The bosses were conducting their own business, and Gotti was conducting his. The crime life went on for awhile. The power of the bosses went from "Albert Anatasia to Carlo Gambino" (O'Brien and Kurins 33).

From its very existence the Mafia has always been feared and respected. They are respected for the power that they posses to do what they want whenever and with whomever they please. Also the Mafia is respected for the money that they poses and the ability to get it by all means possible. They are feared by people knowing that the Mafia would not hesitate to kill someone if need be. "The roots of the mafia go way back to Sicily where their history is ancient and bloody" ( Cummings and Volkman 3).

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Approximate Word count = 5396
Approximate Pages = 22 (250 words per page double spaced)