3

HISTORY

Gangs in the USA

3.a

Gangs have been in existence in the United States since 1780.

In this section, we will review the four eras of Gang History:

1780 – 1870: Early Northeast Street Gangs from 1780 to 1870

1870 – 1940: Rebirth and Expansion from 1870 to 1940

1940 – 1990: Growth and Change in the Post-War Period from 1940 to 1990

1990 – Now: Activities from 1990 to the Present

The local street gangs, prison gangs, motorcycle clubs, ethnic and organized crime gangs are all examples of gangs that existed in the United States. As of the year 2011, approximately 1.4 million people were members of gangs, with over 33,000 gangs actively operating in the United States.

Many American gangs began and continue to exist in many cities. National street gangs were often formed in major cities such as New York City (Bronx), Detroit, and Chicago, but they later spread to other American cities such as Albuquerque and Washington, D.C.