Part 5/10:
During the 1860s, the term "mafia" began to penetrate public discourse, further popularized by dramatized accounts in literature and theater. Notably, the opera The Mafiosi illustrated the codes and practices that would define later mafia activities, solidifying the connection between Sicilian heritage and its associations with organized crime.
Political Turmoil and the Mafia's Growth
The socio-economic landscape of Sicily drastically shifted with the establishment of the unified Italian State. Instead of weakening the mafia, the dissolution of large feudal estates and the rise of individual businesses created more opportunities and customers for their protection services.