History of Gangs in the United States

A set of flashcards designed to assist in reviewing key concepts from a lecture on the history of gangs in the United States.

What region did gangs first emerge in the United States?

Northeast

Which gang was the first with acknowledged leadership in New York City?

The Forty Thieves, formed in 1826.

During which years did the first phase of gang emergence in the Northeast occur?

1783 to the 1860s.

Where was the first gang, the Forty Thieves, formed?

In the back room of a grocery store in the Five Points District.

What characterized gangs in Boston during the emergence phase?

Predominantly comprised of Catholics and Irish youth, not as organized as those in New York.

What major political corruption group aided gang activity in New York City during the second phase?

Tammany Hall.

What was one of the consequences of rampant corruption in NYC following the Civil War?

An enormous growth in gang membership.

Which neighborhoods in Chicago did Black gangs grow particularly prevalent in during the 1930s to 1980s?

East Harlem and other segregated communities.

What types of gangs became more organized and better armed in Chicago as the city evolved?

Newly developing gangs.

What major socio-economic event helped increase the Mexican and Black populations in Chicago during the second phase?

The Great Migration.

What infamous housing complex did the Chicago Housing Authority construct?

The Robert Taylor Homes (RTH).

What organization is known as a major alliance of smaller gangs, including La Raza and Spanish Cobras?

Folk Nation.

What identifiers are often associated with Folk Nation gangs?

Six-pointed star; pitchfork; Number 6.

Which gang was formed to assist Puerto Rican immigrants in dealing with racial prejudice?

Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation.

What year range does the first phase of Mexican American gangs cover?

1890s to 1940s.

What event is the Sleepy Lagoon a reference to?

The murder of a Mexican youth at a popular swimming hole in 1942.

What incident was sparked by the Zoot suit riots in 1943?

Citizen mobs chased and beat anyone wearing a zoot suit.

Which two prominent gangs developed in Los Angeles during the 1960s?

Crips and Bloods.

What is the general perception of Los Angeles in terms of gang violence today?

One of the national epicenters of gang violence.

What are the primary colors associated with Bloods gang members?

Red.

What identifiers do MS-13 gangs typically use?

Devil's pitchfork; "MS-13"; colors blue, white, and black.

What factors explain the late emergence of gangs in the South?

Less White European immigration, predominantly agricultural society, low Mexican immigration rates.

In which cities today is there prominent gang activity as mentioned in the notes?

Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta.

What do gangs originally develop as a response to?

Marginalization.

What are the three prominent goals of gangs as mentioned in the notes?

Territorial defense, maintenance of personal and collective honor, achievement of prestige among peers.

What function does 'Defensive localism' serve for gangs?

Securing living space, upholding honor, policing neighborhoods, and providing services.

What is the cycle involved in ‘Cycles of Violence’ regarding gang cohesion?

Starting with loosely organized gangs responding to perceived threats from rival gangs.

What do prison gangs operate as, according to the notes?

Self-perpetuating criminally oriented entities.

What major historical processes contributed to gang growth in the United States?

Racism, prejudice, immigration, and poverty.

How does labeling theory describe the effect of being labeled as a gang member?

It can entrench individuals into social roles, making it difficult to shed the identity.

What did studies by Joan Moore find regarding female gang members?

Many gang members were female, with a substantial proportion of gang membership.

Who argued that female gangs were evolving away from their auxiliary status?

Freda Adler.

What did Jody Miller’s studies reveal about female gang involvement?

Serious family problems push girls towards gangs for emotional and social support.

What are four types of non-gang female associates identified in Valdez's study?

Girlfriends, Hoodrats, Good girls, and Relatives.

What does the term 'Differential opportunity theory' explain?

Blocked legitimate means lead lower-class youths to innovate through illegitimate avenues.

What central concept defines macro-level theories in relation to gangs?

How social structure influences variation in gang behavior.

According to Thrasher, what community conditions contribute to the formation of gangs?

Community disorganization, ineffective families, poor-quality schooling.

What is a 'starter gang'?

A small group of rejected, aggressive youth that begin to affiliate with one another.

What characterizes the membership experience for most youths in gangs, particularly in terms of duration?

Many join for a short term but may leave within a year.

What does the Social Development Model (SDM) say about social bonds?

Social bonds develop through opportunities, involvement, skills, and performance.

What role do community conditions play in the likelihood of gang membership?

They can either increase or decrease the likelihood based on available resources and structure.

What is the impact of gang membership on educational attainment?

Gang members are less likely to graduate and earn a four-year degree.

What critical elements did the prevention of gang activity hinge on?

Data-driven, research-based initiatives addressing risk factors for gang membership.

What program aims to prevent youth from engaging in gang life and includes cognitive-behavioral training?

Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T).

What is the focus of Project BUILD?

Violence prevention curriculum designed for youths in detention.

What aspect of social life do gangs meet for young individuals?

Their social needs, sometimes viewed as a surrogate family.

What type of juvenile gang members are most resistant to rehabilitation, according to the Aggressive Behavioral Control Program?

High-risk, high-need offenders.

What is the primary income source for outlaw motorcycle gangs?

Manufacturing and distribution of drugs.

How does society perceive the Yakuza in Japan compared to other organized crime groups?

They are not considered shadowy figures and coexist with law enforcement.

What is a common misconception about gang migration across the country?

That street gangs migrate widely to establish satellite groups.

What phrase is associated with gang initiation rites, particularly in prison gangs?

"Blood in, blood out."

According to Klein, what does gang life often reflect?

A very dull life with little criminal activity beyond the group.

What does the term 'gang-motivated crime' refer to?

Crimes committed for the gang or furthering gang functions.

What is the primary focus of prevention and intervention strategies for gangs?

Reducing the risk of gang involvement and addressing underlying issues.

How do studies suggest youths view their involvement with gangs?

As a source of interest and camaraderie.

What statistic describes how youths involved in gangs likely fare in academic achievement?

Gang members are about 30% less likely to graduate.

What do many communities fail to consider when addressing gang involvement?

Risk factors that could buffer individuals from negative influences.

What does the term 'marginality' refer to in relation to youth experiencing exclusion from society?

The process of feeling left out due to cultural and social barriers.

In the context of gangs, what does 'social control theory' assert regarding gang membership?

It suggests that weak bonds to prosocial institutions lead to greater deviance.

What is often the first step in assessing gang membership within a community?

Identifying who is involved in gang-related activity.

What does differential association theory suggest about youth in gangs?

They are socialized towards antisocial activities through their connections.

What is an important aspect of gang intervention programs?

Building bonds between youth and schools to create safe environments.

What do gangs often symbolize for youths?

A sense of belonging and protection.

How are gang initiation rituals often characterized?

They tend to involve violence or pressure to prove loyalty.

What influences the likelihood of gang membership among children?

Community conditions, family dynamics, and peer relationships.

What societal view contributes to the perception of gang membership as a dangerous activity?

Media portrayal that simplifies and dramatizes the nature of gang life.

What is one of the primary functions of gangs in marginalized communities?

Providing a sense of security and community for their members.

What are protective factors that can help mitigate the risk of gang involvement?

Positive influences from family, school, and community environments.

What common themes arose from the studies conducted by Joan Moore regarding female gang members?

Independence from boys and a tendency to engage in serious criminal activity.

What is a notable difference in membership structure between LCN and other gangs?

Structured hierarchy reflecting levels of power and specialization.

What do violent gang initiation practices demonstrate about gang culture?

An emphasis on loyalty and proving oneself to the group.

How do juvenile perceptions of gangs evolve as they transition through schools?

Increased affirmation and association validated by existing gangs in their environments.

What research supports the notion that gang life may not be as exciting as commonly believed?

Klein's assertion that gang life is often dull and uneventful for most members.

What impact does gang membership have on emotional and psychological well-being?

Increased likelihood of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

What ongoing activities do youth involved with gangs often partake in while building affiliations?

Hanging out, doing drugs, and socializing.

Why do girls often associate with gangs, according to the notes?

Seeking emotional and social support, often influenced by family connections.

What form of organization do prison gangs generally take?

Formalized structure with an established chain of command.

What theorized stage involves community resources being depleted by immigration?

Stage 1: Social disorder due to immigrant concentration.

What does the phrase 'the web of influences' refer to in the context of gang formation?

Interconnected factors such as community, family, school, and peers.