The History and Evolution of Gangs By: Kyle Young
Feb 24, 2016
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 Triads2. “Gangs” of Outlaws
1. Jesse James Gang and Al Capone3. Racist “Gangs”
1. Klu Klux Klan4. 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 StructureAll 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. PresentSimilarities• 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