Civilians in Italy used crime and violence to rebel against their own corrupt government system. Italian crime syndicates refused to adapt to the American culture, instead they made American culture adapt to them. Organized crime groups thrived for three things, power, wealth, and respect, and would do anything to gain and protect those three things. American mobs gained acceptance through fear, love or money. The first record of Italian organized crime in America was in New Orleans. New Orleans drew criminals because of its high crime rate, key drug trafficking location, laid back lifestyle. Shortly after the first crime ring hit America, cities from east to west were being taken over by Italian crime syndicates.
From 1900-1930 Organized crime was at its peek, nation wide. It was possible for cities all over the country to grow in power because many immigrant did not have the working skills needed to make a successful living in America. "Man power for these syndicates came from a number of sources: some "graduated" from Black Hand and Italian-colony "Mafia" groups; others had served as whorehouse proprietors, gambling-house operators, labor goons, counterfeiters, narcotics dealers, and a wide range of petty crooks and thieves." After crime societies were established throughout the country, leaders met with each other to share ideas and techniques in order to gain a greater grasp on America.
A crime syndicate must have power to have wealth, and wealth to have power. Wealth was acquired through illegal acts such as prostitution, gambling, and drug and alcohol distribution. Profits through these illegal eventually gave crime societies enough money to expand their horizons. Police-criminal relations grew strong helping the crime syndicates grow in power and wealth. Al Capone of Chicago helped support the Republican Party during the 1927 mayoral election. By raising money through threats and violence Capone influenced enough people in order for his man to win.