The History and Evolution of Gangs

By: Kyle Young

What is a Gang?

• In its original meaning the word gang described a social club or group of workmen.– Still used in this sense in the UK

• By today's meaning however it describes a group of people who share a common identity.–Mostly criminal affiliation

How Gangs Originated

• Formed in the post revolutionary war days by Irish immigrants, African Americans, and white native New Yorkers

• Originally formed as a means of protection from other groups and as social clubs for people of the same ethnicity

Where Gangs Originated

• First Street Gangs were formed in New York City in the nineteenth century.

• Formed in what was referred to as The Five Points.– The intersection of Orange, Mulberry,

Cross, Little Water, and Anthony streets in New York: Specifically Manhattan• Now referred to as The 6th Ward the streets

are Baxter, Mulberry, Park, and Worth. Little water no longer exists

Predecessors Of Gangs• Four major kinds of groups led to the

gangs of today:1. Secret Societies

1. Italian Mafia and Chinese Triads

2. “Gangs” of Outlaws1. Jesse James Gang and Al Capone

3. Racist “Gangs”1. Klu Klux Klan

4. Voting “Gangs”1. Ragens Colts (tied mainly to dem. Party)

The Five Points

The Original Five Points Gangs• The Natives– Born and Raised in New York

• The Dead Rabbits– The Biggest Irish Gang

• The Bowerey Boys– Also New Yorkers, anti-Irish

• The Forty Thieves– One of the Most well known and violent

gangs

• The Chinchesters– The First actual criminal Gang

Where Gangs Spread Too

• Even though New York was the birth place of gangs, gangs have spread all over the country.

• Cities with major gang population:• L A (Gang capital of America)• Chicago• New York• Miami

Gangs, Good Or Bad?

• The answer is actually both.• Originally, gangs formed in order to

protect themselves and their neighborhoods from others. This is a good thing.

• The evolution of gangs later turned from protecting the neighborhood to the sale of drugs and violence. This however is a very bad thing.

The Evolution OF Gangs

• Originally created as a means of protection

• “Gang Battles” were held in a spot agreed to by both sides and the gang members fought

• Later gangs moved into the sale and use of drugs and also became violent

• New gangs began forming as a means of clash between different races and ethnicities

The Evolution OF Gangs Continued

• Gangs began spreading across the US• Race battles then began happening all

over.• Gangs began smuggling and selling

weapons and sometimes even trafficking people.

• Gangs are now extremely violent and are all about race instead of social clubs or protection.

Ages Of Gang Members

• The ages of members in a gang ranges anywhere from as young as thirteen years old to grown adults.

• The age range varies depending on the area that the gang is located in.

• Most of the high ranking members in gangs are the older more experienced members.

Gang Structure

All gangs no matter what ethnicity or no matter how violent all follow the same structure:•Leadership•Hardcore•Associates•Cliques•Fringe•Wanna-be•Could be

Past VS. Present

Similarities• Gangs where colors to

identify themselves and separate themselves from others

• Gangs have monikers or nicknames to identify themselves

• Gangs have their own territories

Differences• Gangs are more violent

today then in the past• Gangs sell and use

drugs and guns• Gang members in the

past all worked real jobs • Gangs have very little

respect for the public and often engage in fights in crowded areas

The 3 R’S• Every gang and every gang member

abides three rules called the 3 R’S1. Reputation/ Rep– Critical concern to gang members. Extends to

each individual, and to the gang as a whole.

2. Respect– This is something everyone wants and some

gang members carry their desire for it to the extreme.

3. Retaliation– In gang culture, no challenge goes unanswered.

Modern Day Gang Families in the U.S.

• Five major crime families in America:1. The Bonanno Family– 1920’s - Present

2. The Colombo Family– 1928 - Present

3. The Gambino Family– 1916 - Present

4. The Genovese Family– 1892 - Present

5. The Lucchese Family– 1920’s - Present

America’s Most Famous Gangsters

John Dillinger

George Kelly Barnes“Machine Gun Kelly”

“Lucky” Luciano

Lester M. Gillis

“Baby Face” Nelson

Al Capone