Mafia History

These families often extended to second or even third cousins and gained power through family trust and loyalty not political power or even money. This society created a hierarchy of dons (chiefs) who were the heads of different mafia families in their respective town throughout Sicily, with the top don living in Palermo. Originally this term was offered freely out of genuine respect, or as payment for justice being carried out.
             The early Mafia used many tactics to prey on ordinary people and increased its own power over them. Often the ruling families in any region would control the town grain mill, water supply or in some instances both. In turn this gave them the power to deny the locals their basic necessities unless respect was given to the Don. Also great wealth was made from these ventures and many Mafia families purchased additional farms, orchards, workshops housing and business, until the Sicilian peasants became reliant upon their regions Mafia. Eventually the Mafia became so powerful and feared the term Mafia itself was never spoken aloud they were always referred to simply as "The Friends", or sometimes The Secret Government.
             Sicily was totally controlled by the Mafia, which was now a completely criminal secret society by the middle of the nineteenth century. The dons of the Mafia basically controlled all of the island's government, and the lords of the land had no control. Dons taught the very young how to murder victims and to hate all authority. .
             Although it was not unknown who was in control, the secrecy of the Mafia was its hallmark. Violent deaths to anyone who became an informant were not uncommon. Sicilians became captive once again by this domination of intimidating and dictating society. For the first time this came from the hands of an organization which came to power to protect the people. .
             Eventually, Sicilians were reunited with Italy, which was considered their homeland.