A lemon craze in the 19th century may have given rise to the Sicilian mafia.
At least, that according to a new study that argues the craze allowed mobsters to cement their position in society as protectors of local business.
The surge in demand for lemons arose during the Napoleonic Wars after James Lind, a Scottish doctor and pioneer of naval hygiene, discovered that citrus fruits cured scurvy.
The researchers claim that the mafia appeared in locations where lemon producers made high profits for overseas export.
In the climate of weak rule of law, the mafia protected lemon farmers from ‘predation’ and acted as middle men between producers and exporters.
A new study argues that a rise in demand for lemons during the Napoleonic wars led to the emergence of the Sicilian mafia. Pictured right is Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972)
The study, conducted by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast and published in the Journal of Economic History, involved analysing data from a parliamentary inquiry in 1881-1886 on Sicilian towns.
It looked at the causes of crimes in 143 towns, finding that mafia presence was strongly related to the production of oranges and lemons.
The study also argues that an increase in fragmented land following the Bourbon-era land reforms (1816-1860) provided the ‘breeding ground’ for mafia protection – because there were a higher number of land owners, there was an increased need for private protection.
Lemons became prized after their health benefits were discovered, particularly with regards to prevention of scurvy.
Before James Lind showed that citrus fruits could prevent the disease – which can cause swollen, bleeding gums – lemons were only used as a luxury import for decoration and perfume.
But when demand for the fruit began to grow, they had to be imported from Sicily.
Lemon trees have a poor tolerance for extreme climates, and require temperatures between 13-30°. The average temperature in Sicily is between 10–22°C, making the island one of the few places in Europe where lemons can grow. Pictured is a lemon grove near Syracuse, Sicily
Lemon trees have a poor tolerance for extreme climatic conditions, and require temperatures between 13-30°.
The average temperature in Sicily is between 10–22°C, making the island one of the few places in Europe where lemons could be reliably grown.
Areas slightly above the coastline are more suitable because of the relatively low variation in daily (and annual) temperature.
As demand for lemons surged, the mafia were seen as a force that protected small-scale farmers.
A new study argues that a rise in demand for lemons during the Napoleonic wars led to the emergence of the Sicilian mafia. The surge in demand for lemons arose in the late 18th century after James Lind, a pioneer of naval hygiene, discovered that citrus fruits cured scurvy
Felia Allum, a lecturer in Italian history and politics at the University of Bath who was not involved with the study, told The Times: ‘The study is well elaborated and coherent as well as using some empirical evidence.’
‘Also, [in contrast] to many studies, they seek to explain the cross-regional variation in mafia presence across Sicily, which is particularly interesting.’
But Baris Cayli, a University of Derby researcher in the sociology of organised crime, said that citrus fruits were only a part of the reason for the rise of the Sicilian mafia in western Sicily.
He claims that social injustice in the farming economy, as well as a lack of effective land policy, governance and other aspects of the socio-economic climate, led to the rise of the notorious crime group.
WHY WERE LEMONS SO SOUGHT AFTER IN THE NAPOLEONIC WARS?
The surge in demand for lemons arose in the late 18th century after James Lind, a Scottish doctor and pioneer of naval hygiene, discovered that citrus fruits cured scurvy.
Scurvy is a disease that arises due to a lack of vitamin C. While it has decreased in prevalence, it still exists in industrialized countries.
The disease, which can cause fatigue, severe joint and leg pain, and swollen and bleeding gums, killed more British sailors than the French and Spanish navies combined during the 18th century.
So when the benefits of citrus fruits were discovered, demand for lemons surged in Sicily – one of the few places in Europe that could reliably grow the fruit.
James Lind (1716-1794), Scottish physician whose recommendation that fresh citrus fruit and lemon juice be included in the diet of seamen, resulted in the reduction of scurvy cases in the British Navy
Areas slightly above the coastline are more suitable for growing lemons because of the relatively low variation in daily (and annual) temperature. As demand for lemons surged, the mafia were seen as a force that protected small-scale farmers