The black hand
The Black Hand refers to various organized criminal groups that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term was initially used to describe a secret society in Serbia known as "Crna Ruka," which aimed to liberate Serbian territories from Austro-Hungarian rule. However, the term has also been used to describe other criminal organizations, such as the Italian Mafia and Russian organized crime groups.
During the early 20th century, The Black Hand gained notoriety for their involvement in assassinations, extortion, and other criminal activities. Notable examples include the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914, which sparked World War I, and the subsequent Black Hand trials that led to the execution of several members.
In later years, the term "Black Hand" has also been used to refer to various criminal syndicates, such as the Serbian Black Hand that emerged during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. These groups were involved in organized crime, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities.
Overall, The Black Hand has become synonymous with secretive, criminal organizations that operate outside the law and advocate violence as a means to achieve their goals.
The Black Hand refers to multiple historical groups with different contexts and meanings. Here are a few examples:
1. The Black Hand (Serbian: Црна рука) - This refers to a secret society formed in the early 20th century in Serbia. The society's goal was to unify all South Slav territories into a single state. The group gained notoriety for carrying out the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in 1914, an act that ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I.
2. The Black Hand (Mafia) - This term is also used to describe a secretive branch of the Italian Mafia (Cosa Nostra), particularly in the United States. The Black Hand is known for engaging in extortion, blackmail, and kidnapping, particularly targeting Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
3. The Black Hand (Mexico) - In Mexico, the term "La Mano Negra" (The Black Hand) refers to a criminal organization involved in various illegal activities such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, and organized crime.
It is important to note that the term "The Black Hand" can have different meanings depending on the context and location.