The Sicilian Mafia in the 1900s—the time Mafia: The Old Country takes place

Contents:

• The Origins of the Mafia, or How Sicily Lived in the 19th Century
• The Mafia Would Not Have Become So Powerful Without Citrus Fruits
• The 1900s — a Time of Persecution, Migration, and a Terrible Catastrophe in Southern Italy

At the opening of Gamescom 2024, a new installment of the gangster franchise, Mafia: The Old Country, was unveiled. Unlike previous games in the series, this installment will take players to Sicily in the early 1900s, the era of the mafia's rise, a unique setting for the gaming world. This historical setting promises to immerse players in a time period previously unexplored in major games and open up new horizons for exploration and interaction with the world around them.

The change in setting and era presents unique and complex challenges for the developers, as life on the island at that time differs significantly from the world of the Mafia series we are familiar with. In this article, we will examine the emergence of the mafia and its impact on Sicily, as well as the reasons for the migration of members of criminal clans around the world. We'll also delve into the fascinating events and cultural aspects of the 1900s, the period in which Mafia: The Old Country takes place. This will help us better understand the context and atmosphere of the time, as well as how historical realities influenced the development of the Mafia and its global connections.

The Origins of the Mafia, or How Sicily Lived in the 19th Century

Sicilians are not just Italians. The native people of Sicily are proud of their unique cultural heritage and often speak the Sicilian language, which is not recognized as official in Italy. Sicily, having the status of an autonomous region since the end of World War II, has experienced the tyranny of various invaders for many centuries. This historical legacy shapes the character of Sicilians and their desire for freedom and independence.

Over the centuries, the island of Sicily has been ruled by various peoples, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards, and Italians. Accustomed to constant extortion and changes in power, local residents developed a distrust of outsiders. They expressed strong discontent, which often led to revolutions. This historical context left a noticeable mark on the culture and mentality of the islanders, making them wary and critical of outside influences.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Bourbon dynasty established a parliament on the island of Sicily, which put an end to the feudal system. Feudal barons began selling and leasing their lands to those who could afford it. However, the Bourbons' influence in Sicily was limited, which contributed to the spread of robbery and violence. Landowners urgently needed law enforcement officers capable of not only solving problems by force but also settling disputes and guaranteeing the security of transactions. Gradually, such individuals grew in number, becoming the prototypes of the modern mafia. The local population, faced with violence and lawlessness, became increasingly tolerant of these criminal elements, as they offered installment loans and could help resolve conflicts. Thus, a unique system was formed in Sicily, in which criminal organizations became an important part of the social structure.

In 1861, Sicily was forcibly annexed to the unified Kingdom of Italy, leading to significant changes in land distribution. The state redistributed much of the state and church land to private individuals, resulting in the number of landowners increasing to 20,000, several times the previous figure. However, the Italian government showed no inclination to resolve the disputes that arose or restore order. There were only about 350 police officers in all of Sicily, which was clearly insufficient to ensure security. The island's inhabitants also faced universal military service for the first time, which was met with resistance. This was due to the fact that the majority of the population continued to engage in agriculture and livestock breeding, and each man played an important role in supporting the family. The loss of even one family member could have serious consequences for the entire family. The situation in Sicily at this time reflected the profound social and economic changes that affected the lives of the population.

Banditry, which arose amid the poverty of most Sicilians, was only contained by other criminals, who were dubbed the "mafia." The origin of this term remains a subject of debate. The Sicilian word "mafiusu" translates as "swagger," but also means "courage" and "bravado." The association with criminality arose after the premiere of the 1863 play "I mafiusi di la Vicaria," which told the story of a Palermo prison gang, its boss, initiation rituals, omertà, and racketeering. An important step in legitimizing the term was its mention in official documents by the prefect of Palermo, Marquis Gualterio, in 1865. As a representative of the Italian government, he noted that "the so-called mafia, that is, criminal associations, have become bolder." This testifies to the growing influence of the Mafia in society and its role in the criminal culture of Sicily.

The prefect underestimated the influence and capabilities of the Mafia, which had already become firmly entrenched in the Sicilian political system and the social elite. Just a year later, the Mafia inspired ordinary citizens to revolt for power in Palermo, the island's largest city and the center of its wealthiest province. This event became a landmark, demonstrating to the new kingdom that the Mafia was a serious force to be reckoned with. However, the revolution was quickly suppressed, the perpetrators were executed, and the local population was subjected to repression for several years. For ordinary citizens, Mafia members were perceived as "one of their own," more just and reliable than the Italian government on the mainland. Trust in the mafia remained high, highlighting the region's deep social and political crises.

In the 1870s, the Mafia significantly increased its power and financial resources by establishing close ties with the police. Both sides benefited from this collaboration. Furthermore, the Mafia established relations with the Sicilian Church, which became especially strong during the period of the spread of socialist ideas from 1889 to 1894. During this period, they developed a common enemy – the socialists. The unrest among socialist workers culminated in mass strikes caused by landowners and mine owners' rejection of new conditions regarding leases and sharecropping. The government intervened, declaring a state of emergency, disbanding workers' organizations, and arresting their leaders. The suppression of the strikes became the catalyst for a new wave of emigration, which had begun since the unification with Italy. These events demonstrate how economic and social factors contributed to the strengthening of Mafia influence in Sicily.

The Mafia, as a phenomenon, is primarily prevalent in western Sicily. This region is home to numerous small and medium-sized landholdings, making hiring security guards economically impractical. Owners of several small estates often turned to the Mafia for protection from bandits, as the Mafia could guard several properties at once. Unlike the western part, eastern Sicily is less influenced by the Mafia. Here, large tracts of land are owned by owners who can afford to maintain a staff of professionally trained guards. Guarding large territories requires constant patrols, so landowners often opt to hire full-time security personnel.

The Mafia Wouldn't Be So Powerful Without Citrus Fruits

In the 19th century, the Mafia effectively managed the business, but it was citrus fruits that gave it its true power. Members of criminal groups not only guarded the plantations, but often owned them, where the fruits, valuable at the time, were grown. Lemons, for example, proved capable of curing scurvy, a dangerous disease that had killed about a million sailors over the previous two centuries. Successful lemon cultivation requires specific climatic conditions, which were ideally suited to the Mediterranean. Sicily became a historical center for lemon and orange cultivation, and when demand for these citrus fruits increased, the Mafia profited significantly.

Gardeners and pastoralists are the most vulnerable segments of the population, since Stealing oranges or livestock was a relatively simple task. In this situation, the Mafia came to the rescue, protecting the interests of farmers, preventing sabotage of citrus production and the theft of sheep grazing in the fields and mountains. It is noticeable that the police provided little assistance to cattle ranchers: in only 10% of cases were owners able to recover stolen livestock. Unlike law enforcement, the Mafia was much more effective: according to data from the 1920s, it recovered lost property in 95% of cases. This underscores the importance of protecting agricultural production and the need to create reliable security mechanisms for fruit growers and cattle ranchers.

In the mid-1880s, 2.5 million crates of Sicilian citrus were shipped to New York annually. Lemon exports became a lucrative business for both local criminals and emigrants seeking a better life in the United States. Mass emigration from Sicily peaked between 1901 and 1913, when approximately 800,000 of the 1.1 million emigrants headed to America. Among the new arrivals were mafiosi, who quickly established control over the citrus supply. They subsequently expanded their influence into alcohol production, gambling, prostitution, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, significantly changing the criminal landscape of the United States.

Sicily continued to supply significant volumes of citrus to the global market. In 1898, lemon trees in Sicily accounted for nearly 70% of the total number of lemon trees in Italy, highlighting that other regions of the country did not have similar opportunities for quick enrichment through this business. The Sicilian economy was heavily dependent on citrus. Data on the export activity of the port of Messina, one of the largest ports on the island, in 1850 indicate that 42.4% of all goods were citrus fruits and their derivatives. There are also studies showing the relationship between the Mafia and the citrus production, as well as between the Mafia and large agricultural plantations. These facts highlight the importance of citrus fruits for the Sicilian economy and their role in the formation of the criminal environment on the island.

1900s - a time of persecution, migration and a terrible catastrophe in southern Italy

Map of the spread of the Mafia in Sicily in 1900. The map shows the settlements with the highest Mafia activity highlighted in red. This information is important for understanding the historical roots of Mafia culture in Sicily and its influence on the development of the region. Studying these settlements will help better understand how the mafia shaped the socio-economic structure of the island and the consequences this had for the local population.

In addition to racketeering, involvement in illegal transactions, and protection of land holdings, the Sicilian Mafia actively interfered in politics. Mafia members intimidated voters, coercing them to vote for their preferred candidates. In those years, only a few had the right to vote, which allowed the Mafia to effectively control a significant portion of the electorate. In addition, Mafiosi had connections in the government, which provided them with protection from prosecution and allowed them to influence their opponents. This combination of intimidation and political connections made the Mafia a powerful force in the region, capable of influencing elections and political processes.

In 1898, the Italian government made the first attempt to dismantle the Mafia. The army arrested 64 people in Palermo, but the trial did not begin until three years later. At this time, law enforcement agencies were conducting an in-depth study of the structure of Sicilian criminal groups, their codes of conduct, and their activities. Palermo's chief of police, Ermanno Sangiorgi, prepared a detailed 485-page report that covered aspects of the Sicilian criminal organization and included information on 218 of its members. If not for the corrupt prosecutor Vincenzo Cosenza, this report could have been a turning point in the fight against the Sicilian Mafia. Ultimately, only 32 people were charged with creating the criminal organization, and many of them were immediately released due to lengthy detentions. The mass exodus of mafiosi ushered in a new era for organized crime. Realizing that freely operating in Sicily had become impossible, they began to expand into new territories, including the United States and South America. This emigration of criminal elements coincided with the departure of ordinary poor Sicilians who, disillusioned with their economic situation, sought a better future in America. Thus, against the backdrop of economic hardship, a new criminal landscape emerged that significantly influenced the development of mafia structures outside Italy.

One of the most significant events in the history of Sicily was the earthquake that occurred on December 28 1908. At 5:20 a.m., a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake, known as the Messina earthquake, struck southern Italy. It remains the most destructive earthquake in European history. The disaster devastated cities such as Messina, Reggio Calabria, and Palmi. In an instant, tens of thousands of people died, trapped under the rubble of their homes. Survivors were soon hit by tsunami waves up to 12 meters high, compounding the tragedy and leaving a deep mark on the region's memory and history. Messina was virtually wiped off the map, and of its 160,000 residents, about half perished. Most of the survivors were left homeless—some were resettled in various regions of Sicily and on mainland Italy, while others chose to emigrate to the United States. After the disaster, only 19,000 people remained in Messina, but the city soon filled with migrants who rebuilt it, turning it into the so-called "city without memory." The Messina earthquake triggered a mass emigration of local residents, primarily to the United States, which significantly changed the demographic picture of the region.

The creators of Mafia: The Old Country have chosen a unique and engaging setting that promises a gripping story. The historical events of the early 20th century, when the Sicilian Mafia reached its peak and then faced serious challenges, provide a rich backdrop for the narrative. At this time, the Mafia was experiencing its first crises, experiencing pressure from the Italian government and the effects of natural disasters, which led to mass emigration. These elements could very well become key to the game's dramatic plot, in which Ennio Salieri, a character from the first Mafia, is rumored to play a key role.

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Mafia: The Old Country is a new installment in the renowned mafia series that continues the tradition of its predecessors. The game promises to transport players to a world of criminal showdowns, intrigue, and complex moral choices. In this installment, the developers focused on creating a rich and detailed game world that will allow you to immerse yourself more deeply in the mafia atmosphere.

The game's plot explores the lives of new characters and their interactions with established characters from previous installments. Players will face new challenges and opportunities that will open up many paths for them in the criminal hierarchy. Graphics and sound have been significantly improved, making gameplay more immersive and realistic.

Furthermore, Mafia: The Old Country offers expanded character and vehicle customization options, allowing players to create a unique style and approach to the game. Don't miss the chance to become part of this captivating mafia story, where every decision you make has consequences and impacts the story. Expect immersive gameplay and a deeply developed world that you can immerse yourself in.