American Mafia “Wherever there is an opportunity, the mafia will be there” (Johnny Kelly). The identity of organized crime has changed throughout history due to the power of the mafia. The American Mafia has impacted and influenced American culture and the way it views crime today. The mafia has mainly affected culture, films, books, crime and politics. The Mafia is one of the most ruthless, influential, and dangerous organized crime groups to ever exist in America. Throughout history, crime has existed in many parts of the world and in different forms and has been committed not only by individuals, but also by individuals. powerful groups like the mafia. Carlo Gambino led the most powerful mafia family in the United States (“Carlo” 1). Having power within the mafia was essential and very important. To be respected by other mafia groups, they had to be very ruthless. In America, the Mafia would come to be seen as a large, organized group whose power extended across the ocean, from the old world to the new (Cottrell 1). The Mafia was a syndicate aimed at worldwide entrepreneurial success, rather than the more common idea that it was a malicious group of thugs stealing money whenever they could find it. For the mafia to be more successful in its business, it had to expand as far as possible. The power of the mafia was unparalleled and no one dared to interfere with it. The mafia was heavily favored by Italians in groups. Between 1880 and 1900, the number of Italians in New York increased from 20,000 to 250,000 (Reppetto 18). The mafia was mainly controlled by Italian immigrants looking for easy money. Mafias were mostly large Italian families headed by a dominant man. In 1930, Masseria and S...... middle of paper...... did not let go. "Romanticizing the Mafia: The Effects on America That Can't Let Go. Megan Sharp, 2002. Web. March 12. 2014. "Carlo Gambino." UXL Biographies. Detroit: U*X*L, 2003. Student Resources in Context Web March 6, 2014. Cottrell, Robert C. “Mafia/Organized Crime.” Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast Vol. 3. Detroit: St. James Press, 237-240. . Jent, Sarah. Its Rise To Power (Book). Literary Reference Center. Web. March 6, 2014. Reppetto, Thomas A. American Mafia: A History of Its Rise to Power. New York: H. Holt, 2004. Print. “The Wiseguys influence American culture and politics – Martin Scorsese influenced by the Italian mafia, Godfather, HubPages, July 23, 2011. Web.. 2014.