The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre: How Gang Rivalries Turn Into Mass Violence

The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was more than an infamous Chicago shooting. It reflected a violent struggle for control of criminal markets during Prohibition, when territorial disputes, retaliation, and competition between rival organizations could escalate into spectacular acts of violence. This episode examines the social dynamics of gang warfare, the role of reputation and intimidation, and why criminal organizations sometimes use extreme violence to establish dominance.