Mickey Cohen Research Paper

The Racket World “I’m not an educated man, but I’ve read some history. Every kingdom comes up bloody. Every castle is built on a pile of bones. When I came out here, L.A. was nothing. Back east I was a gangster, out here I’m god.” (Mickey Cohen Quote) The notorious mobster, murderer, and racketeer Mickey Cohen once boasted. From the late 1940’s through mid 1960’s, this same criminal ruled the glamorous city of Los Angeles. He made many enemies over his years, but coincidently also made many friends. Mickey Cohen’s early life set him up in prime position to reach his mobster status, and once he had the city of angels for himself, it seemed as if nothing could take him down. However, every Rome is destined to fall, even Cohen’s, but that doesn’t mean it was built in a day. September 4th, 1913; one of the world’s greatest crime bosses was born. Meyer Harris Cohen grew up in Brooklyn, New York with his widowed mother and five older siblings. His Russian immigrant, God-fearing mother ran a grocery store when they moved to the ruthless Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, while his brothers dealt drugs. For years he had little supervision and even less money. At an

It started at a young age when he lacked supervision and lead him to crime. From crime he found boxing, and in that he found profession. Within profession, he found power. However, with power, he left mistakes which cost him time in prison and the burning down of his racket world empire. Perhaps he knew that his fall from success could be easily found in the cards, it may be that he was just a businessman. For this boxer, gangster, mobster, murderer, crime lord, businessman, legend, whichever adjective is used once proudly proclaimed, “All good things must one day be burnt to the ground for the insurance money.” (Mickey Cohen Quotes) And burning to the ground did his authority, his Rome, and his world