Questions and Answers
John Jacob Astor arrived in America penniless and died the richest man in America with a net worth of US $78 billion?
True
Daniel Drew perfected the technique that resulted in the term 'watered stock' and died a very wealthy man.
False
Jay Gould's manipulation of the gold market brought him a US $1 million profit on 'Black Friday,' September 24, 1869.
True
Russell Sage was clever enough to parlay a mere US $1 million in bribes into land grants worth US $5 million.
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By 1850, more than one-third of New York City's population was Irish.
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By 1890, John D. Rockefeller controlled about 90% of the US petroleum production.
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The Volstead Act set 0.2 alcohol content as the defining point for making a beverage an intoxicant.
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'Syndication' refers to the cooperation that occurred between gang leaders from various regions during Prohibition.
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Every year until Prohibition was repealed, the murder rate dropped.
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With the end of Prohibition, the cooperation characterized by syndication continued, facilitating gangster control of major unions.
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What type of group tends to be interest-based and usually do not involve criminal activity?
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What type of group comes together for a specific purpose, such as stealing cars or violence?
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What describes groups that are highly visible and focused on profit-driven criminal activity?
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What type of organization is comprised of highly structured criminal networks led by experienced adults?
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What type of gang is social in nature and often involves gratuitous violence and bullying?
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The purpose of the first commandment is to ensure that introductions profit future business ventures.
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The second commandment ensures that someone on the higher end of the hierarchy does not have liaisons with a lower member's wife or girlfriend.
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Study Notes
John Jacob Astor
- John Jacob Astor immigrated to America poor and became the wealthiest American, worth approximately US $78 billion today.
Daniel Drew
- Daniel Drew was involved in "watered stock" but did not excel as described; he did not die wealthy.
Jay Gould
- Jay Gould profited US $1 million during "Black Friday" on September 24, 1869, through manipulative practices in the gold market.
Russell Sage
- Despite rumors, Russell Sage did not convert US $1 million in bribes into land grants worth US $5 million.
Irish Immigration
- By 1850, over one-third of New York City's population was comprised of Irish immigrants due to successive waves of immigration.
John D. Rockefeller
- By 1890, John D. Rockefeller controlled about 90% of U.S. petroleum production and had a net worth of US $189.6 billion by 1913.
Volstead Act
- The Volstead Act, enacted ten months after the Eighteenth Amendment, did not define intoxicating beverages as having 0.2% alcohol content.
Syndication
- "Syndication" refers to the cooperation among gang leaders from different regions during the Prohibition era.
Murder Rate During Prohibition
- Contrary to expectations, the murder rate during Prohibition did not drop consistently; it was 6.8 per 100,000 in 1920 and did not fall to 3.1 in 1933.
Post-Prohibition Cooperation
- After the repeal of Prohibition, the cooperation known as syndication continued, aiding gangsters in controlling major unions and contributing to the founding of modern Las Vegas.
Groups and Criminal Activity
- Interest-Based Groups: Typically non-criminal, these groups contribute positively to community well-being.
- Purposive Groups/Gangs: Form for specific criminal activities, disbanding once their goals are met.
- Youth Street Gangs: Profit-driven, highly visible, adopting distinct identifiers like colors or tattoos; often exist independently within their claimed territory.
- Structured Criminal Organizations: Highly organized, led by experienced criminals, pursue significant economic gains; youth are often exploited for specific tasks.
- Spontaneous Criminal Activity Groups: Form for situational motivations, typically involving frivolous violence; members have alternatives in life and weaker ties to the group.
Commandments
- First Commandment: Ensures introductions lead to profitable future business ventures.
- Second Commandment: Prevents high-ranking members from having inappropriate relationships with lower members' partners.
- Third Commandment: Advises against being seen with law enforcement to maintain a Mafia member's integrity.
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Test your knowledge on key figures in American history with these flashcards. Each card includes statements regarding the lives and impacts of significant individuals and their financial achievements. Challenge yourself to determine the truth of these historical claims!
