The Rise of the American Mafia (S1, E1) | American Godfathers: The Five Families | Full Episode
The Genesis and Unraveling of New York's Five Mafia Families
Discover how Sicilian traditions fueled the rise of the American Mafia, examine the corporate structure they built during Prohibition, and understand how internal betrayal—specifically breaking the code of Omertà—ultimately jeopardized their half-century reign.
Short Summary
- Establish the core code (Omertà) that was fundamental to the Mafia's early success and eventual downfall.
- Trace the evolution from localized street gangs into sophisticated, multi-million dollar operations fueled by Prohibition.
- Identify key leaders like Luciano, who professionalized the organization by instituting the Commission to prevent internal warfare.
- Pinpoint critical stress tests to the structure, including the Kefauver hearings and the catastrophic decision by Joseph Valachi to testify.
This summary details the foundational decades of New York City's Five Families, exploring how a culture of silence and honor allowed them to exploit American economic shifts from bootlegging to labor racketeering. The narrative emphasizes the tension between traditional Sicilian codes and emerging American individualism, culminating in pivotal, public attempts by law enforcement to dismantle the organization.
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Top Comments (10)
I remember when the narrator used to wait in the car...
"Far back as I could remember I've always wanted to be a gangster"
WATCH IT CHRISSY!
Stay up to date on all of your favorite The HISTORY Channel shows at http://history.com/schedule.
Based on his narration of this documentary alone he should have been made right then. Boom.
🎶If the narrator was a carpenter, and you were a D-Bag🎶
"Have you a father and mother?" "I respectfully decline to answer." 🤣🤣🤣
The old story of you don’t quit your job because you don’t like it. You always quit your job because of a manager.
The narrator sounds like the only guy who could smoke a cigarette in the rain with his hands tied behind his back
Today, March 4, 2026, marks one year since you left us. Rest in peace, Selwyn Raab.
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Top Comments (10)
I remember when the narrator used to wait in the car...
"Far back as I could remember I've always wanted to be a gangster"
WATCH IT CHRISSY!
Stay up to date on all of your favorite The HISTORY Channel shows at http://history.com/schedule.
Based on his narration of this documentary alone he should have been made right then. Boom.
🎶If the narrator was a carpenter, and you were a D-Bag🎶
"Have you a father and mother?" "I respectfully decline to answer." 🤣🤣🤣
The old story of you don’t quit your job because you don’t like it. You always quit your job because of a manager.
The narrator sounds like the only guy who could smoke a cigarette in the rain with his hands tied behind his back
Today, March 4, 2026, marks one year since you left us. Rest in peace, Selwyn Raab.