Study of the American Mafia

One of my all time favorites movies is The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1972. It seems every year around this time, I'm influenced by it's premise (see Godfather Phase) It's a story about an Italian mafia and their ruthless dealings set in New York City, 1940s-1950s. This crime story is loosely based on the real-life syndicate of the Five Italian Crime Families from New York City.

To me the film is rich in culture, history and dramatic quality. It is also very violent and depicts a negative light towards Italian culture. As violent as the film is, it only vaguely hints at the underground criminal dealings of these organized gangs. In this post I'd like to study the historic criminal syndicates of the Italian and Jewish Crime Organizations.

Please note this study is not meant to stereotype the incredibly rich Italian and Jewish cultures. It's rather a focus on the select few within the culture, that do not represent their people as a whole. This post is in no way meant to justify the actions of these mobs, which led to a century of ruthless crime and violence. It is merely a study of interest, as to how these organizations were able to rise from nothing, to become more powerful than the government itself.

The Immigrant Gangs

This study on American organized crime is a continuation of my previous post that focused on immigration and the rise of Irish gangs in the 1860s. Immigration from Europe into America continued in heavy numbers throughout the the late 1800s and into the early 1900s. From 1860 to the onstart of WW1, nearly 9 million Italians immigrated to America in search of better work wages. Also during this time nearly 3 millions Jews immigrated from Eastern Europe, the majority of which were escaping persecutions and pogroms within the Russian Empire. A majority of these Jewish  and Italian immigrants settled into poverty stricken ghettos in New York City.

Just as the Irish immigrants of New York City developed gangs, so did the Jewish and Italian immigrants. However the Jewish and Italian gangs were different than the Irish gangs, in that they were much more organized. Part of this organized crime structure came from their homelands, such as the Black Hand of the Sicilian Mafia, which dated back to 1812 (the start of Italian Unification). Thru their native connections, some of these gangsters already had significant muscle and influence within their neighborhood districts.

By the late 1890s, the Jewish, Irish, and Italian gangs were fighting each other for control of the Five Points district. By 1901 it was Paul Kelly's Italian Gang, the Five Points Gang, that had become the dominant power of Manhattan. Paul Kelly's Italian Five Points Gang was rivaled by Monk Eastman's Jewish Eastman Gang. Both of these gangs became the early predecessors to the American Mafia format of organized crime. Both Al Capone and Lucky Luciano were youth members of the Five Points Gang, and would both go on to establish two of the most infamous Italian crime organizations during the Prohibition Era.

The Prohibition Syndicates

With the passing of the 18th Amendment in 1920, the United States government made it illegal to trade, manufacture or sell any alcohol whatsoever. This new regulation became a new booming market for the underground world, most notably the crime syndicates. Bootlegging rackets become one of the primary sources of profits for mafia organizations based in New York City and Chicago. Al Capone became one of the most infamous of these bootlegger's thru his organized gang known as the Chicago Outfit.

To add to the rise of organized crime during the 1920s, was a 2nd wave of Italian Immigration. This was due to the fact that Benito Mussolini had began a strict dictatorship in Italy, with a strong opposition against mafia in his country. Many members of the Sicilian Mafia and Black Hand organizations fled to New York City to partake in the rising influence of organized crime.

By the late 1920s some of these mafia organizations had become so powerful, they began to fight with each other, rather than against the law. This was mostly territory disputes among Jewish, Irish, and Italian bootlegging gangs. By 1930 New York City had been dominated by two major Italian-American mafia gangs; Joe Masseria's faction and Salvatore Maranzano's faction. Their struggle for total control of the New York City underworld lead to the infamous Castellammarese War. This bloody gang war marked a turning point in organized crime, when Charles Lucky Luciano established the Commission to avoid any further territorial disputes.

The Organized Commission

In 1931 Charles Lucky Luciano murdered the boss of all bosses, Maranzano, and established a new underworld governing body known as the Commission. This committee enabled the major bosses of organized crime to discuss their disputes and avoid violent confrontation with one another.

The Commission consisted of the Five Italian Crime Families of New York City, as well as Al Capone's Chicago Outfit. Luciano also opened the door to new relations with the Jewish Mafia, most notably Meyer Lansky. By the 1950s the Commission had 26 organized mafias spread across America. The media referred to this network of crime as the National Crime Syndicate.

The Gambling Boom

By the 1930s Meyer Lansky had paved the way for the Jewish Mafia, thru his spurring of the gambling industry. He established powerful business relations in Cuba, Florida, New Orleans, and Las Vegas. By the 1940s these sites all became booming markets for casinos, hotels, and entertainment. In 1946 he partnered with Bugsy Siegel to launch a hotel in the desert of Las Vegas, known as the Flamingo, which would become the first landmark of a gold-mine.

In 1952 Lansky's friend Fulgencio Batista became president of Cuba, which enabled him to run his casinos without any interference. However by 1959 these relations came to an abrupt end due to the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro. Batista as well as the American-Mafia casinos were driven out of Cuba. However by this point Lansky had already reaped the rewards of Las Vegas, Florida, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. By this point many crime organizations were able to turn legit thanks to their casino and hotel businesses.

The Crackdown

By 1960 the US government, led by president John F. Kennedy, began to crack down on organized crime. He was also aided by the FBI, under the proud leadership of John Edgar Hoover, who despised non-American gangsters. In 1970 the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act was passed to prosecute mafia mobsters. From that point the Italian/Jewish mafias no longer had the stronghold on crime. The underground business was dispersed among smaller gangs and drug cartels. However organized crime still exists today due to it's longstanding family structures and codes.

Italian Crime Families

• The Five Families (based in New York City; these 5 Italian families have dominated the organized crime syndicate since the 1930s)
• Bonnano: Following the Castellammarese War, boss Salvatore Maranzo was murdered at the hands of the Joe Masseria. Maranzo's underboss Joseph Bonnano went on to continue Maranzo's organization by establishing his own powerful crime family
• Colombo: This crime family was based out of Brooklyn, NY and established by boss Joseph Profaci. He went on to lead the family for over three decades. He was later replaced by Joseph Colombo who changed the organization's family name to it's present day form. 
• Gambino: This family was formed by Vincent Mangano who ruled for twenty years until he was disposed by the notorious Albert Anastasia aka "the executioner". Few years later Anastasia was murdered by his underboss Carlo Gambino, of which the family took it's present day name. 
• Genovese: Perhaps one of the most powerful of the five families, it was founded by Charles Lucky Luciano, after the death of Boss Joe Masseria following the Castellammerese War. Based in Manhattan, it was Luciano who established the Commission, to maintain diplomatic relations between the five families. He was however later charged in court, and his power was handed over to his under boss, Frank Costello aka "the Prime Minister". Costello was later replaced by Vito Genovese of which the family took its present day form.  
• Luchese: One of the oldest of the five families, it was formed in the early 1920s by Gaetano Reina, based in the Bronx. Following a string of murders the role of head boss was later assumed by Tommy Gagliano who ruled for 20 years. He was later replaced by Tommy Lucchese of which the family took it's present day form.  
• Chicago Outfit 
  
• Based out of Chicago, IL this Italian Mafia organization was founded in the 1920s by Al Capone and Johnny Torrio. It was one of the most influential gangs of the Midwest, thru it's illegal distribution of alcohol during the Prohibition. Al Capone was considered the epitome of a ruthless gangster, as he openly waged war on any of his underground competitors. One of the most infamous of these conflicts took place at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Capone had 7 Irish-American gangsters killed. Capone was able to dominate the city of Chicago thru his corrupt power for nearly 10 years, until he was finally arrested on tax evasion. The organization went to the leadership of Frank Nitti and Paul Ricca, however following the repeal of the Prohibition, the Outfit had lost much of it's profit. It continues to operate to this day, however nowhere near as influential as it was in the 1920s and 30s. 

Italian Mobsters

• Paul Kelly

• He was a very influential Italian immigrant from New York City. Thru his powerful relations with Tammany Hall, he was able to establish one of the first organized street gangs, known as the Five Points Gang. Many notorious gangsters made their start in Kelly's gang, such as Johnny Torrio, Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, and Charles Luciano. 
• Charles Luciano (Lucky)
• He was perhaps one of the most influential Italian mafia bosses of New York City. He established the Commission as a means to govern the crime network, and also made new partnerships with notable Jewish mobsters such as Meyer Lansky. In 1930 he took over Joe Masseria's organization to establish his own crime family, which he lead for nearly 20 years. In 1946 he was deported by the US government, however he continued to play an influential role on the organizations business from Italy as well as Cuba. 
• Johnny Torrio (The Fox, The Immune)
• Torrio was one of the earliest Italian gangsters of New York City, and helped Paul Kelly establish the Five Points Gang in 1901. He later went on to establish the Chicago Outfit with his protege Al Capone in 1920. Following some conflicts with the Irish North Side Gang, he stepped down as boss, and moved back to New York City to council the Genovese Crime Family. 
• Albert Anastasia (The Executioner, The Mad Hatter)

• He was perhaps one of the most famous "soldiers" of the organized crime syndicate, who was able to use his ruthless grit to climb the ranks. He established Murder Inc, which became Luciano's (as well as the the Commission's) enforcement agency. Anybody who got out of line within the syndicate had to answer to Anastasia. In 1951 Anastasia disposed of Boss Vincent Mangano to assume control of the family, however much to the resentment of Vito Genovese, who saw this as a break of mafia code. This almost resulted in another gang war, however by 1957 Anastasia was assassinated in a barber shop most likely by Genovese' men. Anastasia was replaced by Carlo Gambino as the new boss and head of their family. 
• Al Capone
• He was born in New York to Italian Immigrants and as a youth he became a member of Paul Kelly's Five Points Gang. At the age of 20 he followed his mentor, Johnny Torrio, to Chicago where he helped him run his newly established bootlegging racket. Capone took over for Torrio, after he stepped down following an assassination attempt. He was constant war with the Irish North Side Gang. By the mid 1920s he had a strong influence over political elections as well as the police force of Chicago. In 1929 he became nationally recognized following the St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 7 Irish gang members. Several years later he was finally convicted and imprisoned for tax evasion. He spent the last of his years suffering from mental illness and died at the age of 48.
• Frank Costello (Prime Minister)
• He was the consigliere to Charles Luciano, and took the helm in 1946 after Luciano was deported. Costello's regime underwent smooth profits thru their new gambling investments in New Orleans, Miami, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. He was often considered the Boss of Crime Bosses, and nicknamed the Prime Minister of the Underworld. However in 1957 he went into retirement following an assassination attempt coordinated by Vito Genovese. Vito felt he should be rightful boss of the family, since he was the underboss to Luciano. Costello renounced his leadership role to Vito who changed the family name to Genovese. Costello retired from the crime family yet still played an influential role on underground dealings and profit.   

Jewish Mobsters

• Arnold Rothstein (The Brain)
• He was one of the first Jewish Americans to achieve wealth thru racketeering and sports gambling. He established an organization very similar to the Italian mafia, where crime was conducted in an organized business model. By 1910 he became one of the top Jewish Mobsters in New York City. After fixing the 1919 World Series he became an infamous kingpin of the Jewish Mob. In 1920 he shifted his business to bootlegging and narcotics and worked with Charles Luciano and Meyer Lansky. He was shot and murdered at the age of 46 for a debt he owed at a poker game. 
• Meyer Lansky (Mob's Accountant)

• He was the most influential leaders of the Jewish Mob and played a pivotal role in the National Crime Syndicate from the 1920s until his death in the 1980s. He worked closely with the Italian Mafia, thru his close relationship with Charles Lucky Luciano. Unlike the Italian Mafia however Lansky stuck mostly to gambling, and made his fortune in hotel resorts in Cuba, Florida, New Orleans, and Las Vegas. In the mid 1940s, he worked with Bugsy Siegel to turn the city of Las Vegas into a booming marketplace of gambling. However by 1959 his casino empire took a major hit as a result of the Cuban Revolution. He spent the last of his years living quietly in Miami Beach, and was never found guilty of any major crimes, however his fortune was nearly diminished by the time of his death. 
• Benjamin Siegel (Bugsy)
• He was recruited at a young age by Meyer Lansky to form an organization in Brooklyn that could compete with the Italian gangs. Together they first formed the gang, Bugs and Meyer Mob in 1920, specializing in car thefts and gambling. By the late 1920s they got involved with Charles Luciano, and helped form Murder Inc, which became the armed muscle of the Mafia. Siegel is often credited with a number of big name hits, which brought him his nickname Bugsy. However his big break came out west in California and later Los Angeles. In 1945 he came up with the idea to create an oasis of gambling in hotels in Las Vegas. With financing from Lansky, and help from LA gangster Mickey Cohen, he was able to launch the Flamingo Hotel in 1946. It was the first major hotel of the Las Vegas strip, still in business today. Siegel was murdered that same year by fellow mobsters, most likely for the debt he incurred on the hotel. 
• Mickey Cohen
• He began his career as a professional boxer, however eventually moved to Chicago to work for Al Capone's Chicago Outfit. He was arrested for a brief time in Chicago and eventually relocated to California by Meyer Lansky. It was here that Cohen began to thrive in the underground criminal world of Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He worked under Bugsy Siegel to launch the Flamingo in 1946. Following the assassination of Siegel, Mickey Cohen took the helm of organized business on the west coast and became a kingpin of Las Vegas. He was eventually convicted of tax evasion in 1951 and 1961. He died in 1976 from stomach cancer.

Movies about the Mafia

• On the Waterfront (1954) This film gives a portrayal of the mafia's influence on union workers at the docks of New Jersey. It has one of cinema's most famous lines from Marlon Brando, "You don't Understand, I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could have been somebody instead of a bum. Which is what I am." 
  
• The Godfather I and II (1972, 1974) This masterful film gives a fictional portrayal of the five crime families of New York City. The first film makes references to the Sicilian influence of these organizations as well their hierarchical structure. The second film makes reference to their expansion into gambling. These films also make reference to real life mobsters such as Frank Sinatra, Bugsy Siegel, and Meyer Lansky. It is without question one of the greatest crime films in history.
• Once Upon a Time in America (1984) It's a fictional portrayal of the rise of Jewish mobsters, Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky in the streets of Brooklyn New York. 
• The Untouchables (1987) It is a portrayal of the FBI's crackdown against Al Capone's bootlegging gang in Chicago. 
• Goodfellas (1990) It is a portrayal of an Irish-Italian-American who gets caught up in the Italian crime syndicate of New York City based in the 1970s. 
• Bugsy (1991) It is a biographical portrayal of Bugsy Seigel's venture out west into California and his vision for Las Vegas where he works along side Mickey Cohen and Meyer Lansky. 
• Casino (1995) It is a fictional portrayal of a mafia run hotel in 1970s Las Vegas, and it's influence from Mafia organizations such as the Chicago Outfit. 
• Donnie Brasco (1997) It is a portrayal of an undercover agent, known as Donnie Brasco, who infilitrated the Bonanno and Colombo crime families for 6 years. 
• Road to Perdition (2002) It is a portrayal of the Prohibition Gang Wars, set in Chicago, between the Irish mob and Al Capone's Italian Mafia. 
• Gangster Squad (2013) It is a portrayal of the LAPD crackdown on Mickey Cohen's corrupt influence over the city of Los Angeles. 

Historical Look: New York City Draft Riots

Martin Scorsese's 2002 film, Gangs of New York, is a very unique film that blends fictional drama with a historical setting. (This blend is perhaps my favorite kind of movie/story, i.e.: Reds, Titanic, Doctor Zhivago, Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, etc.)  I've seen this film several times now, however last evening I gave it my undivided attention and thus feel inspired to write about it's historical topic. The movie stars many big names such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day Lewis, Liam Neeson, Cameron Diaz, Brendan Gleeson, John C. Riely, Jim Broadbent, etc. It went on to receive 10 Academy Award nominations. It's a classic masterful movie, easily in my top 50 all time.

The story takes place in 1863 at the Five Points district of New York City. It depicts the political and racial tensions that occurred in the city during the height of the Civil War. The tension primarily arose with the native protestant Americans against the Irish Catholic immigrants. In this post I'd like to take a look at how the site became a center point for Irish immigrants, as well as the racial tension that resulted in the New York City Draft Riots, one of the worst riots in American history.

Irish Immigration

By the early 1800s, following Ireland's unification with Great Britain, many Irish citizens began to migrate to North America for numerous reasons such as religious freedoms and better job opportunities. Ireland was a predominant Catholic nation, and suffered new hardships due to English Protestant favored laws. These new harsh laws were perhaps a cause to the poverty that gripped the region during the Great Famine of the 1840s. From 1840-1860 the Irish diaspora experienced it's greatest wave of migrating, with nearly 2 million immigrants settling in the United States.

The majority of these Irish immigrants settled in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. Some quickly found jobs working on canals and railroads and were welcomed for their hard-work mentality. However others weren't so lucky and soon their numbers began to overwhelm the streets of New York City. This was much to the dislike of native Protestant Americans, who felt the Irish immigrants were taking jobs away. Quite naturally a racial sentiment arose at the height of this immigration which also coincidentally occurred during America's most divided period; the Civil War. 

The Tammany Society

One of the key political factions of the Irish immigrants was the Tammany Hall organization of New York City. This was the Democratic headquarters of New York City, which worked as the city's loyal political machine. Many of NYC's business and political leaders were associated with this organization that had many corrupt dealings throughout the city. One of the most famous bosses of the Tammany Hall was the congressman William M. Tweed, who created a powerful and corrupt regime within the city from 1858 to 1872. 

During the time, Tweed became one of the most influential men in New York City, through business and politics. He was able to control the city's patronage through his position as a congressman, wealthy businessman, city supervisor, and especially his leadership of the Tammany political faction. He was director of the Eerie Railroad, Tenth National Bank, and the New York Printing Company. As corrupt as he was, he played a very influential role in helping Irish immigrants transition into American society.

The Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys

In the film it is suggested that Boss Tweed, played by Jim Broadbendt , is at first under the influence of the Native gangster Bill the Butcher, played by Daniel Day Lewis, however later switches sides to work with the Irish immigrants. Tweed switches sides because he realizes the Irish immigrants carry the majority vote. This of course infuriates the native gangsters led by the ruthless and bigoted character of Bill the Butcher Cunning. This fictional antagonistic character, brilliantly portrayed by Daniel Day Lewis, is a representation of the the historical gangster William Poole. Poole was head of the Bowery Boys, an anti-Catholic, anti Irish, native gang of the Five Points of New York City.

The greatest opposition to the Native gangs of the Five Points district, were the Irish Roach Guards, also known in modern times as the Dead Rabbits. The group consisted of Irish thieves and thugs trying to survive in the midst of poverty and racial tensions. In the film they are united under the leadership of the Irish-American Priest Valon, played by Liam Neeson. At the opening of the film, the Irish priest is killed at the hands of Bill the Butcher, and thus 16 years later he is redeemed by his son, Amsterdam Valon, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The basis of the film's story and character's take some fictional liberty, however still are inspired by actual gangs, leaders, and events of the time.

The New York City Draft Riots

Perhaps one of the most infamous spillovers of the Irish gangsters, was the New York City Draft Riot. This occurred as a racial reaction to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 as well as the Union Draft imposed that year. Many working class Irish felt it unfair that they should fight and die for freed slaves, of whom would become their new competition for jobs. To make matters even more unfair, the wealthy could buy their way out for $300. The draft thus resulted in a fast spreading protest led by working Irish immigrants, that spilled over into a race riot against blacks.

The initial uprising began on July 11th of 1863 as the draft drawings began to unfold throughout the city. The first acts of civil disobedience were carried out by firemen who began to assault the provost marshal's office. The uprising quickly spread throughout the streets, as Irish workers began to disrupt  the public order through vandalism and violence. When they were opposed by the police forces, the Irish mob turned their anger towards black people, and began a series of attacks and public lynchings. This chaos lasted for a full three days, until order was finally restored by the military.

To this day the riot remains the largest civil uprising in America's history, (excluding the Civil War). It lasted 3 days, and caused 120 deaths, and over 2000 injuries. 11 of the deaths were lynchings of black people. The aftermath of the riot, caused many blacks to permanently flee the island of Manhattan and settle in Brooklyn. It was an atrocious event, a civil war within a civil war. It was no different than a Confederate victory, and took heavy Union resources to repair. It is a sad historic example of the poor fighting the poor, only as a means to survive in a rich-man's world.   

Study of British Culture

The past couple months I've emerged myself in a study of British culture and history. This recent fascination was first inspired by the film Shakespeare in Love. This made way for a study of William Shakespeare as well as a thorough historical  study of the English Monarchy. It seems quite fitting now, that I wrap up this phase with a basic study of British culture. I should also say that I have been wanting to make this post for quite some time now.

This hasn't been my first British appreciation phase, and surely won't be my last. As a lifelong American citizen, it seems British history has always been ingrained into our society. After all we speak their English language. Our country was first colonized by British immigrants and it was against them that our independence was won. The United States and the United Kingdom have come a long way since their colonial tensions, and they have now become greatest and most special allies. So naturally British culture has always had significant roots in American society.

When I think of British culture, so much comes to mind; their medieval history of castles, kings and queens in the likes of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. Their theater and literature that gave way to the greatest poets of all time such as William Shakespeare. Their vast colonial empire that spans the globe to this day. Their strength during WWII, led by their greatest prime minister, Winston Churchill. Their rock and roll music that gave way to the British Invasion of the 1960s led by the Beatles. And one of my most favorite custom of theirs is their association football, the English Premiere League. To me, British culture has always been very influential on American yet also global society. They have a proud heritage that is derived from their historical traditions. 

British History

I spent several weeks studying the British Monarchy, (see English Monarchy) so I won't get too much into it in this section. However I do want to briefly highlight it's most modern history, which has become an age of British decolonization. The transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy began in the early 1700s, which gave way to a constitutional government run by Parliament. For nearly 200 years Britain expanded into a global empire, and was the undisputed superpower of the world. However at the turn of the twentieth century they began to lose some of their power to the rising economies of Germany and the United States. The aftermath of WWI, had a devastating affect on the British empire, and eventually gave way to it's dissolution. This lead to it's modern transition into a Commonwealth of Nations.

During the 1930s as the British Empire continued to dissolve, however they still played a major role against the rising threats of Nazi Germany. WWII has often been described as one of history's darkest periods, and it was the country of Britain who courageously faced the enemy head on from start to finish. This was thanks to their steadfast leader, Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He refused to surrender to Nazi Germany, and lead both Britain and all of Europe to stand strong in this terrible period. With the alliance of the United States, Britain was able to finally defeat Adolf Hitler, and bring a close to the most deadly war in history.

By the end of WWII, Britain could no longer match the economic superpowers of Russia and the United States. However they quickly sided with the United States during the Cold War, and established a special relationship. In 1979 Britain gave way to it's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. She was a stern conservative, a strong ally of Ronald Reagan, and gained popularity for defeating the Argentine invasions during the Falkland Wars. To this day the United Kingdom has played a significant role in influencing global politics.


British Folklore and Literature

Over the years as I've studied many cultures, I've discovered that it is in their folklore and literature where their traditions and customs are derived from. In this case it was a greater understanding of William Shakespeare that finally got me to study and write about English culture. Since I've already written about Shakespeare, (see Shakespeare Tribute) I've decided to focus here on his earlier literary influences.

One of England's most famous and oldest folk legends is the tale of King Arthur. It has been extended into numerous versions, however it's most original format can be dated back to Geoffrey of Monmouth's "History of Regum Brittaniae" of the 1100s. The general synopsis of the tale is about an Anglo Saxon king, Arthur, who is guided by a wizard named Merlin. With his sword Excalibur and his knights of the round table, he is able to defeat the wicked Mordred and establish a kingdom of Camelot. Other variations of the story introduce his wife Guinevere having a romantic affair with the knight Lancelot as a well a quest for the Holy Grail. One of the most notable adaptations of this folktale is Alfred Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King. This was a 12 part narrative poem published from 1859 to 1885.

Another very popular English folktale was the legend of Robin Hood (of which I've already studied , see Folklore Robin Hood). The general synopsis is an outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor. He was a an enemy of the monarchy, most notably King John I, yet a hero of the people. It's earliest reference came about in the mid 1200s and soon found it's way embedded in popular folklore.

In the late 1300s, Geoffrey Chaucer published many notable works such as The Book of Duchess, the House of Fame, Legend of Good Woman, Troilus and Criseyde, and most famously for his Canterbury Tales. The Canterbury Tales was a series of poetic verses and tales from pilgrims traveling to the Canterbury Cathedral. This became
Chaucer's magnum opus, which broke away from Latin text and introduced English text. For this reason he is often considered the father of English literature, and a major influence to William Shakespeare.

Another very significant English author was John Milton who thrived during the brief Commonwealth Era of 1650s. In 1667 he published his most famous work, Paradise Lost, which was an Epic Poem. The poem metaphorically depicts the opening biblical passages of the Fall of Mankind, in which Adam and Eve fail temptation from Satan and are expelled from the Garden of Eden. Milton's mythological adaptation served as a justification of Christian theology.

Notable English folktales;

• King Arthur
• Robin Hood
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears
• Tom Thumb
• Lady Godiva

Notable English Authors:

• George Orwell (1984, Animal Farm)
• C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia)
• Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Dr. Jeykell and Hyde)
• H.G. Wells (Time Machine, War of the Worlds)
• D.H. Lawrence
• Charles Dickens (Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations)
• Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland)
• J.R.R Tolkien (The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings)
• Virginia Woolf
• Ian Flemming
• Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes)
• J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)
• J.K Rowling (Harry Potter)

British Art

There have been many notable British painters dating back to the Medieval days, to the Renaissance, Romantic era, and into the Victorian era. One of my all time favorite visual artists is the landscape painter, J.M.W Turner. His paintings have a masterful blend of realism with impressionism thru his use of water-colored light. Many of his paintings depict stunning landscapes or historical settings with a hint of abstract coloring. One of my favorite works of his is the oil painting of the Fighting Temeraire (1838).

Some other notable British artists include William Blake, Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable, John Everett Millais, Francis Bacon, and John William Waterhouse (another one of my favorites) .

British Science

Britain has been very influential in the fields of science and lead the way during the Scientific Revolution of the 1600s. One of it's major contributions came from Sir Isaac Newton, who published groundbreaking laws of motion and gravity in his publication of the Principia in 1687. This discovery paved the way for modern physics and brought about advancements in industry and astronomy. (I made a study on this several years ago, (see Study of Modern Physics).

Another very influential British scientist was Charles Darwin, who made major contributions to the fields of biological theory. In 1859 he published a groundbreaking study called the Origin of Species, which introduced an new theory of evolution. Essentially this theory challenged religious teachings, in that human life had evolved from amoeba cells and primates. Today this theory is generally accepted as fact, and despite some opposition from ultra conservative Creationists, there is no reason this discovery cannot be linked with religious teachings. (This is another very intriguing topic I intend to write about some day)

British Architecture

One of the oldest British monuments dates back to the prehistoric times, with Stonehenge believe to have been constructed in 2400 BC. During the Medieval times, England built many castles and cathedrals of architectural wonder such as the Windsor Castle (it's longest standing castle to this day). In the 12th century they incorporated a style of English Gothic architecture, which featured arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses, large windows, and spires. Some famous examples include the Westminster Abbey, the Canterbury Cathedral, and the Winchester Cathedral.

Following the Great Fire of 1666, much of London had to be rebuilt. Britain thus entered a new stage of architecture during it's Baroque era which lasted thru  the 1800s. Many masterful buildings were designed using a new style of Georgian and Victorian architecture. This was a return to classical such as Buckingham Palace, the House of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower Bridge of London.  In the 1900s they embarked on modernist architecture to cater to the booming business and technological markets of it's time. Some examples of these modern buildings include Lloyd's Building and Swiss Re Building (also known as the The Gherkin).

British Music

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of British music is of course my favorite band of all time, the Beatles. Their rebellious rock and roll style defined the 1960s counterculture era and made way for a British invasion of new music. Many British bands thrived during this time and have made a significant impact on musical culture such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd (some of my favorites). Even after the 1960s, Great Britain continued to lead the way with great popular musicians such as Eric Clapton, Elton John, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Van Morrison, Spice Girls, Adele, and another of my favorites Coldplay.

However even before the 1960s, when Britain became a thriving place for popular music, they still had a long, rich, and patriotic musical tradition. Folk songs and nursery rhymes date back to the 1500s, with popular tunes such as "London Bridge" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". The national anthem, "God Save the Queen" is a homage to their longstanding monarchy and proud tradition. In the 1900s, composers such as Edward Elgar and Benjamin Brittain helped bring an identity to British classical music.

British Sports

I've already written numerous times about my appreciation for English soccer (see The English Football League, Barclays Premier League, The FA Cup, 2014 EPL clubs) so I won't spend too much time on that sport here. I will mention however that their fans are some of the most passionate in the world. Their national team has had some good runs in the World Cup, including a championship in 1966 when they hosted the tournament. Also worth mentioning is that the rules of association futbol were first drafted in the UK in 1863, and they have some of the oldest clubs in the world.

Some other very popular sports that originated in the United Kingdom are the sport of golf. It's modern day format became popular in Scotland in the late 1500s and soon the game spread throughout Britain. Other sports that originated in Britain include boxing, rugby, tennis, horse-racing, and cricket.

Britain serves as host to many notable national tournaments in these sports including the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the British Golf Open Championships. They also played an important role in formatting the modern day Olympic games, and have hosted in 1908, 1948, and 2012.

British Cuisine

When I think of British food, the first thing that comes to mind is a spot of tea and some crumpets (English version of pancakes). Tea is the most popular drink in the United Kingdom, and is often drank with breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. Baking is also a defining feature of British cuisine, as they have many forms of cakes, pies, and pastries.

Some of it's most popular dishes include the Sunday Roast (roasted beef, mashed potatoes, and biscuits), fish and chips, and various forms of meat pies. Cheddar cheese is also popular in meals since it originated from the English town of Cheddar, Somerset. One other very popular British custom are their public houses and pubs where many forms of beer are served.    

British Movies

There have been so many good movies about British history and culture, perhaps part of the reason I'm so fascinated by their culture. Some notable names include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, David Lean, Richard Burton, Vivien Leigh, Peter O'Toole, Alec Guiness, Julie Andrews, Michael Caine, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Laurence Olivier, Ridley Scott, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Ian McKellen, Julie Christie, Judi Dench, Albert Finney, Kate Winslet, Daniel Day Lewis and many many more. Here is a list of some films that embody British culture.

• Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
• Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
• Zulu (1964)
• My Fair Lady (1964)
• Sound of Music (1965)
• Oliver (1968)
• James Bond film series (1960s-present)
• A Clockwork Orange (1970)
• The English Patient (1996)
• Shakespeare in Love (1998) (see Movie Masterpiece)
• Elizabeth (1998)
• Harry Potter series (2001-2011)
• Love Actually (2003)
• The Queen (2006)
• Children of Men (2006)
• The King's Speech (2010)
• The Theory of Everything (2014)
• The Imitation Game (2014)

British Monarchy: House of Windsor

In 1917 King George V, issued a Royal Proclamation to change the family dynasty's German name of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor. This was due to the growing anti-sentiment towards Germany from the onset of WWI. In a further act of separation, King George stripped many of his German relatives of their British titles, such as his cousin German Emperor Wilhelm II. The name Windsor was rooted deep into England's royal identity, most specifically the Windsor Castle.

The change of household name was only a symbolic gesture and did not change any format to the constitutional monarchy. The line of monarchs were still descendants from the House of Hanover and Saxe-Coburg. Nonetheless this changed marked a major historical turning point, as political tension had spread throughout Europe and onto a global basis. With the aftermath of WWI and later WWII, Empires and monarchies around Europe would eventually collapse. In 1931 the British Empire transitioned to a Commonwealth of Nations, which allowed it's dominions to govern themselves.

In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to begin a peaceful and prosperous reign that continues to this day. For 63 years she has reigned and is only months away from surpassing Queen Victoria as the longest sitting monarch in English history. She has demonstrated great character and resolve serving as a symbolic yet also a diplomatic tool of British identity. Its an identity that is centered around it's monarchy, which has endured political, technological, and social changes for over a 1000 years,

House of Windsor (1910-present)

King George V

Reign: 1910-1936
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Marriage: Mary of Teck
Children: Edward VIII, George VI, Mary, Henry, George, John
Historical Bio: He was the son of King Edward VII, and succeeded his father to the throne in 1910. His reign consisted of political turmoil throughout Europe which saw the rise of socialism, communism, fascism, and revolutions in Ireland and India. During which his cousin Nicholas II sat on the throne of Russia, while his other cousin Wilhelm sat on the throne of Germany. During WWI he changed his dynasty name from Saxe-Coburg to Windsor, due to anti-German sentiment. Following WWI he dealt with the growing movement of Irish republicanism led by revolutionaries such as Michael Collins. The Irish War of Independence from 1919 to 1921, saw the eventual independence of Ireland and the Establishment of the Republic of Ireland in 1937. King George also dealt with the Indian Independence Movement, which was initiated in 1915 by Mahtma Ghandi and eventually saw their liberation in 1947. By the end of WWI many monarchies and empires throughout Europe had ended, however the British Monarchy endured. Nonetheless in 1931 the British Empire decided it was time to recognize global independence. King George signed Parliaments' Statute of Westminster which established a Commonwealth Realm, of self-governing nations.

King Edward VIII

Reign: 1936
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Marriage: Wallis Sampson
Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of King George V and succeeded his father to the throne. However his reign was cut very short due to a disagreement with parliament over his marriage. He wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who had already been divorced twice. However this was strongly opposed by Parliament. In order to avoid any further civil conflict Edward abdicated his throne so he could marry Wallis. His brother, Albert succeeded him as King George VI. Edward spent the remaining of his life with Wallis and a Duke of Windsor. During WWII he was accused of being a Nazi sympathizer and after the war spent the last of his years without official appointment or title.

King George VI

Reign: 1936-1952
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Marriage: Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Children: Elizabeth II, Margaret
Historical Bio: He was the second son of King George V, and reluctantly succeeded his brother Edward after he had abdicated his throne. George thus inherited the throne in a very unstable period, against the rise of Nazi Germany. He also continued with the early transitions of the Commonwealth Realms and Ireland as a free state. During WWII, he worked closely with Prime Minister Winston Churchill, to bring hope and strength to a nation at war. In 1947 he recognized India's independence and a year later Ireland's independence in 1948.  By the end of WWII, the British empire had declined and was no longer a super-power like the United States and the Soviet Union. Nonetheless King George was victorious by withstanding one of the darkest periods in history. He died at the age of 56 and his eldest daughter, Elizabeth II, became queen.


Queen Elizabeth II

Reign: 1952-present
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Marriage: Prince Philip
Children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, Edward
Historical Bio: She is the eldest daughter of King George VI, and succeeded her father in the post-war era. She has overseen the continuing evolution of the Commonwealth Realms. To this day there are 16 nations that are a part of the Commonwealth Realm, and under the queen's dominion. This includes many Caribbean nations such as Jamaica and the Bahamas. As well as others where she sits as regent queen such as UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. Elizabeth II has furthered the House of Windsor through her upstanding public image and diplomatic relations. She has overseen many changes such as decolonization in Africa as well as the devolution of the United Kingdom. She has overseen a new age of broadcast and media, which has helped lift the royalty's standing through the public's curiosity. However this media attention also brought negative affects with the unfolding of her son Charles' divorce to Princess Diana, and her tragic death in a car crash. However despite all this she has remained very popular throughout he reign with both the public and the Parliament. She is the oldest living British monarch, and is only months away from passing Queen Victoria's longevity of 63 years as queen. Her eldest son Prince Charles is her heir apparent, and his son Prince William is second in line. 

British Monarchy: The House of Hanover

With the Act of Settlement in 1701, Catholics were no longer allowed to sit on the English throne. This resulted in the abrupt end to the House of Stuart with Queen Anne, and ushered in the House of Hanover with King George in 1714. It also marked an important transition to a more Parliament controlled government over the monarchy. Nonetheless the Monarch still had many powers as they sat at the cross section of the united kingdoms of Scotland, Ireland, and England to reign over what had become Great Britain.


The House of Hanover were originally from Germany, however were able to plant themselves in English nobility through arranged marriages. It was their Protestant faith, that brought them the throne, when Queen Anne was unable to produce an heir. George was the son of Sophia of Hanover who was the Granddaughter of King James, making him a distant cousin to Queen Anne. This caused some upheaval from the House of Stuart, however nothing of major threat. Thus the House of Hanover fittingly served as the transitional dynasty in Parliaments newly formatted constitutional monarchy.

Their period was rather stable and influenced by the politics of their time. In 1721 the Parliament established an office for a Prime Minister, who presided over Parliament and shared many authorities that were once held by the monarch. Robert Walpole was the first sitting Prime Minister and sat in office until 1741. During the reign of King George III, the English Colonies were loss as a result of the American Revolutionary War of 1775-1783. Nonetheless the British kingdom had still expanded into an empire during this period, covering one third of the globe. They had territory in Australia, India, Africa, the Caribbean, as well as Canada which gave way to the famous saying that the sun never set on the British Empire.

House of Hanover (1714-1901)

King George

Reign: 1714-1727
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Sophia of Celle
Children: George II, Sophia
Historical Bio: He was Queen Anne's distant cousin and closest living Protestant relative who was able to ascend to throne due to the Act of Settlement. His ascension to the throne in 1714 marked the beginning of the House of Hanover as well as the Constitutional Monarchy. His reign was challenged early by James Francis Stuart, the son of King James II, in a failed rebellion known as the Jacobite Rising of 1715. Following this event, his reign was mostly made up of family tension between his wife and son. He did not speak fluent English and did not get too involved with the Parliament, which allowed them much freedom in their policies. During his reign the first Prime Minister came to office in 1721, Robert Walpole.


King George II

Reign: 1727-1760
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Caroline of Ansbach
Children: Frederick, Anne, Amelia, Caroline, William, Mary, Louisa
Historical Bio: He was the only son of King George, and succeeded his father in 1727. Just like his father before him, he had little involvement in Parliament. He was however the last British monarch to lead his army into battle during the War of Austrian Succession. He also put down the last of the Jacobite rebellions, bringing in an end to the Stuart/Catholic claim to the throne. Both his male children died before his time, so he was succeeded by his grandson, George III, son of Frederick.

King George III

Reign: 1760-1820
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Charlotte of Mecklenburg
Children: George IV, Frederick, William IV, Charlotte, Edward, Augusta, Elizabeth, Ernest, Agustus, Aldolphus, Mary, Sophia, Octavius, Alfred, Amelia
Historical Bio: He was the son of Frederick and grandson of King George II, and succeeded to the throne in 1760. He was the first Hanover king to have been born in Britain and spoke fluent English, however just as his predecessors he took a back set to Parliament's control. Nonetheless his reign was the longest prior to it's time, and a very eventful one as he resided over a number of military conflicts. From 1754-1763, Britain became the strongest power in Europe after defeating France in the Seven Years War; part of which was fought in the colonies during the French and Indian War. However this conflict was later followed by the American Revolutionary War 1775-1783, which granted the colonies their independence from British control. Following this King George dealt with the French Revolution as well as the Napoleonic Wars that lasted from 1803-1815. In 1815 his British armies defeated the rising dictator Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo. He spent the final part of his years suffering from mental illness and was eventually succeeded by his eldest son George IV.

King George IV

Reign: 1820-1830
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Caroline of Brunswick
Children: Charlotte
Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of King George III, who succeeded his father in 1820. He had served as regent king during his father's final years of illness. He played little role in the politics of the time, that saw Lord Liverpool reside over the government. In 1829, although he was against it, he accepted Catholic Emancipation, which repealed many of the previous strict laws against religious tolerance. He was as a patron of arts and fashion and commissioned many new forms of architecture. He had many disputes with his wife as well as mistresses, and was unable to provide an heir to the throne.

King William IV

Reign: 1830-1837
Dynasty: House of Hanover
Marriage: Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
Children: Elizabeth
Historical Bio: He was the son of King George III, and succeeded his brother George IV, at the age of 62. Although he did not play an influential role on the government, he still oversaw several changes in law such as poverty relief, child labor restrictions, and the abolishment of slavery. He also signed the Great Reform Act of 1832 which changed the format of Parliament, and gave more voice to the public voters. By the time of his death, he did not have a legitimate heir, and the succession passed on to his niece, Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria

Reign: 1837-1901
Dynasty: House of Hanover

Marriage: Albert of Saxe-Coburg
Children: Edward VII, Alice, Alfred, Helena, Louise, Arthur, Leopold
Historical Bio: She was the granddaughter of King George III, and succeeded her uncle King William IV to the throne at age 18. Although she understood the role of monarch had become symbolic, she still played an influential role on policies behind the curtains. Her long reign of 63 years became the longest of any British monarch and was a prosperous one that has become known as the Victorian Era. During this period the British Empire continued to expand much thanks to advancements in science, government, and industry. The Industrial Revolution had taken a hold of Europe, which became the backbone of Britain's thriving economy. This peaceful time also brought about a cultural and artistic rebirth, that became part of the Bella Epoque. She had nine children, all of which were married into noble families across Europe. When her husband died in 1861 she went through a very depressive time and avoided publicity for a while, however later returned. She was very popular with the general public, and was able to sway and influence Parliament until her death. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Edward VII, which marked a break from the House of Hanover and on to the House of Saxe-Coburg.

House of Saxe-Coburg (1901-1910)

King Edward VII

Reign: 1901-1910
Dynasty: House of Saxe-Coburg
Marriage: Alexandra of Denmark
Children: Albert, George V, Louise, Victoria, Maud
Historical Bio: He was the eldest son of Queen Victoria, who succeeded his mother's long reign in the year 1901. His influence in governing was far less influential than his mother and he rather served as a fashionable symbol of royalty. He was also very fond of traveling, and went on numerous public relations voyages. His short ten year reign has been described as the Edwardian Era. It was a peaceful time that gave way to advancements in science, technology, and the rise of socialism throughout Europe. He was the first and only monarch from the German House of Saxe-Coburg. The dynasty name was later changed by his son George V, to the House of Windsor due to anti-German sentiment during World War I.