The History of Chicago Gangs
Chicago has one of the most active gang cultures of any American city. Stretching back to the 19th century, it features some of the most notorious names in history. Chicago has seemingly always been divided into gang turf, often along racial lines. The history of Chicago gangs is the story of the city itself and how displaced, disaffected youth have reacted to their conditions, and struggled to achieve a share of the American dream.
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Prohibition
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Before the 1920s, Chicago gangs were mainly European. As in New York, they vied to elect their ethnic group into political offices, from which jobs and influence stemmed. When alcohol became illegal under Prohibition, gangs found a new lucrative opportunity in underworld bootlegging. Sicilian mob boss, Johnny Torrio, took under his wing a New York hitman fleeing from authorities back east. This gangster, "Scarface" Al Capone, would go on to secure a bootlegging fortune estimated at over $60 million through bloody turf battles exemplified by the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Racial Tension
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The end of Prohibition and tougher federal enforcement against heavily armed and organized gangsters like Al Capone's "Outfit" coincided with the Great Depression and the rise of black and Mexican populations in the city. Minorities filled labor shortages during the first and second World Wars, but were laid off or deported when those wars ended. White gangs disappeared into legitimate work. Street gangs became a symbol again of low income ethnic neighborhoods. In the late 40s and 50s, Mexican gangs like the Latin Kings and black gangs like the Vice Lords and Blackstone Rangers ascended in Chicago. Fear of a race riot like the one in 1943 Detroit hung over the city.
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60s
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By the 1960s, major gangs were a reality of large American cities. Unlike the gangsters of Prohibition and before, for whom violence was only a means to secure money and power, violence for the new gangs of primarily underprivileged youth was simply a way of life. During the 60s, Chicago insurance millionaire Clement Stone loaned tens of thousands of dollars to the Vice Lords and sponsored them in several reclamation projects to employ them in productive work. The rise of the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King, Jr. helped to pacify some of the violence, but the assassination of Dr. King resulted in a massive riot that burned down the West Side of the city.
70s and 80s
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Mayor Daley, declared war on gangs in 1969, resulting in many arrests. In the wake of the generally turbulent late 60s, some Chicago gangs continued attempts at legitimate educational and beneficial social programs. Others, like the Black Gangsters and Devil's Disciples, continued their focus on violence and drug trafficking. Since the 70s, these gangs have largely operated from inside prisons. The growing awareness of large urban gangs led to complex national alliances between some gangs at the exclusion of others. By the 80s, cocaine and crack funded the emergence of super gangs with nationwide reach and heavy firepower reminiscent of the Capone era. Like the Capone era, gang wars erupted around access to money and power.
90s and Beyond
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By the 1990s, gang culture had been represented in books, movies and, most importantly, rap music. Gang culture, as represented in clothes and speech, became a part of the mainstream culture. At the same time, law enforcement efforts and community outreach have significantly reduced crime rates. Nevertheless, street gangs remain entrenched in Chicago, particularly in the southwest section where poor ethnic minorities are congregated. According to police, at least ten major gangs continue to exist and operate inside Chicago.
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- Photo Credit barmik (CC-By-SA 2.5, 2.0)
