Why Did Michael Corleone Kill Stracci and Cuneo?

In the world of the Mafia, power is everything, and the strategic decisions made by members can have significant impacts on their influence and position. In the iconic The Godfather series, Michael Corleone's decision to eliminate Stracci and Cuneo, despite the main conflict being with Barzini and Tattaglia, reflects a meticulously calculated approach to consolidating power and securing his family's dominance.

Alliances and Influence

Stracci and Cuneo were key members of the New York Mafia's ruling elite. Their positions within the hierarchy meant that they represented significant power and influence. Michael Corleone understood that by eliminating these individuals, he could destabilize Barzini's power base. While Stracci and Cuneo may not have been direct enemies of the Corleone family, their loyalty to Barzini made them potential threats to Michael's ambitions and the stability of the Corleone operations.

Consolidation of Power

Michael Corleone recognized the importance of eliminating all potential threats to the Corleone family's position. This strategy extended beyond just direct adversaries. Even those who seemed to be on the periphery, like Stracci and Cuneo, posed a risk of future alliances that could challenge his control. By taking preemptive action, Michael aimed to eliminate any potential opposition and assert his dominance over the Mafia landscape.

Preemptive Strike

The murders of Stracci and Cuneo were part of a larger strategic plan to preemptively strike against any opposition. Michael understood that leaving Stracci and Cuneo alive could allow them to regroup and retaliate against the Corleone family, especially since they were key figures in Barzini's strategy. By removing them, Michael ensured that no potential threat could emerge from this segment of the Mafia hierarchy.

Restoration of Family Honor

The killings also served to restore the Corleone family's honor after a series of attacks against them. By decisively removing key figures who were loyal to Barzini, Michael sent a powerful message that the Corleone family would not be trifled with. The act of striking against Stracci and Cuneo demonstrated to both allies and enemies that the Corleone family was capable of bold and decisive action to protect their interests and maintain their reputation as formidable adversaries.

Understanding Stracci and Cuneo's Loyalty to Barzini

In the film, it is suggested that Stracci and Cuneo were backers of Barzini. The film reveals that Sollozzo had informed Michael about the backing of the other four families, indicating a complex web of alliances. There is no direct footage of the Five Families War that unfolded during Michael's absence in Sicily, but we can infer from the context that these families, including Stracci and Cuneo, might have taken action against the Corleone family. The peace meeting with Vito Corleone, where Stracci and Cuneo remained silent and allowed Barzini to take control, further demonstrated their loyalty and suggested to Vito that the Corleone family stood alone in the struggle.

Consequently, Michael's determination to settle all family business once Barzini was out of the way led to the Corleone family's dominance. After Vito's death, under Michael's leadership, the Corleone family emerged as the undisputed leaders of the Mafia, with Michael becoming the 'Boss of Bosses.'

Overall, Michael Corleone's strategic killings of Stracci and Cuneo, despite the primary conflict being with Barzini and Tattaglia, reflect a well-thought-out approach to eliminating all possible threats and consolidating power within the Mafia landscape. This mindset is a hallmark of Michael's transformation throughout the story, as he evolves into a more ruthless and pragmatic leader.