Mafia History

            
             The objective of my paper is to inform the reader about the chronological history of the Italian Mafia. I will explain a few theories about how the Mafia was created, and make suggestions towards a theory. I will explain in detail how Italian immigrants incorporated Mafia behaviors into American Society, and why this was necessary. I will also stress the Italian stereotypes, how they were exaggerated by Hollywood and their effect on the people. In the end the reader will have extensive knowledge on the effect of oppression on the Italian population through history.
             "A Hard Life".
             There were many of events which led to the La Cosa Nostra also known as the American Mafia that we know today. To understand today's Mafia we must follow it chronologically. The mafia was formed in Sicily; most Italians refer to this as "The old country." This Mediterranean island is located near the "toe" of Italy. Since the Bronze Age's Sicily was conquered many times, and with each invasion came new deprivations, laws, languages as well as customs upon the unlucky inhabitants. Greek, Carthaginian, Roman, Arabic, Spanish, French and other invaders have all at one time claimed Sicily as their own. Each left behind struggle and hard ache with only new laws to help the rich get richer while keeping the majority of Sicilian people in poverty. This in turn created grate reassessment of foreigners as well as the government .
             "The Meaning of Mafia".
             The exact origin of the Sicilian Mafia remains a mystery. Some say that it might have started back as far back as the 12th or 13th century during a time when the country was under malicious French rule. One particular legend tells of a group of islanders who rose up against their oppressors after the brutal rape of one young girl at the hands of a group of drunken French Soldiers. As the legend goes, the mother ran through the streets of a village crying" Ma fia! Ma fia! ("My daughter! My daughter!).