Tory Cyr

History of Italian Immigration

For my research report I decided to write and investigate the history of Italian Immigration to the United States. Within my paper I will look at the hardships the Italians had to undergo and what essentially cause them to want to migrate to the United States. I will also discuss in further detail what the Italians did when they arrived at their New World, what jobs were available for them and if everyone who migrated decided to stay in their New World of opportunity.

            Poverty, national disasters, and over population are some of the measures that ignited Italian Immigration at the beginning of the 1870’s. Population for the Italian community was out of control. Birthrates rose while death rates fell causing a pressure on others as well as the economy. This was particularly the case for the southern and poorest provinces of Italy.  Italians were hit by high taxes due to the northerners taken over the government and all felt the harsh pressure from the economy. Many suffered from lack of cultivation due to soil erosion and also the lack of coal and iron need for industry work. Both the farmers and industry workers found themselves out of a job, leaving more than half of the Italian community suffering from poverty and the economies downfall. Due to these problems, Italians also drifted away from the dominant culture. Some started to be exploited by people of the same nationality and religion. As a result, Italians started focusing on their family rules and responsibilities. It was literally an all for one when it came to families and even their communities.

            Along with this, Italians were also hit with many natural disasters. In 1944 Mount Vesuvius erupted causing them to have to bury a whole town near Naples, shortly after Mount Etna erupted as well. Still trying to cope with these events a earthquake struck and a tidal wave swept through the strait of Messina. This disaster itself killed 100,000 people in Messina alone. After all the economic hardships, their country being over populated, and the loss of their loved ones and the horrible natural disasters the rate of Italian migration rose dramatically. Many Italians believed that migrating as the most responsible and logical answer in order for happiness and a better life, an essential aspect of the Immigrant narrative.

            Although Italians have a long history of migrating to foreign countries as an outlet from poverty, during the 19^th century more started to migrate towards South America than North America in fact, the earliest Italian Immigrants to the United States were the northern Italians. Most of the northern Italians became fruit merchants in New York or were wine growers in California. As time went on, more started to migrated to the United States and formed their own communities within the United States.

            Also, even though a larger portion portrayed the immigrate narrative by migrating over a body of water to a New World in order to receive a better life some portrayed the minority narrative by then returning to Italy and their customs. Unlike most of the immigrants, they were not willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. In the New Worls, they merely did what they needed to to keep their families afloat in Italy.  Some didn’t want to farm which if they did they would hold stability within the United States, but on the other hand just went city to city were labor was needed. Many immigrants also didn’t see them as rejecting their country but in a better sense defending it. Many worked and sent money home in order to open up opportunities in Italy. Many people who did this hoped to save enough and hopefully return to a healthier life in the country they are from. Overall, 20 to 30 percent of Italian immigrant’s returned to Italy permanently. Here we see the immigrant and minority narrative within the immigration history of the Italians.

            Within 1890, 90 percent of New York City’s public works employees and 99 percent of Chicago’s street workers were Italian. Italian immigrants did whatever they needed to do to survive. Along with the men the women also tried to contribute within the household. Many women worked within their homes so they could still maintain a strong family life, something that is very important trough out the Italian culture.

            While some Italian immigrants decided to go back to Italy, many did not and thus formed communities all around the United States. Today about 20 million of our population are Italian decent. Italians had to come over for a better life and through hard work and determination I would have to say they made their mark within the world. 

In the end, if my great grandparents didn’t choose to come to America I might not be where I am today and for that I will be forever thankful. Through this assignment I have learned more about my family and the trials my ancestors had to go through in order to provide a better life for their family and in the end me. I’m thankful for this assignment because in the end it opened my eyes as to where I came from as well as the sacrifices many had to go through to give me a better life.

Works Cited

Chao, Adam. "Immigrants; The Journey to America." Immigration; The living mosaic of people, culture & Hope. Web. 9 Dec 2009. <http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Italian.html>.

Ciongoli, Kenneth, and Jay Parini. Passage to Liberty: The Story of Italian Immigration and the  Rebirth of America. 1st. New York: Harper Collins Publishing, 2002. Print.

Cordasco, Francesco. Italian Americans: a guide to information sources. Detroit: Gale Research and Company, 1978. Print.

Mintz, S. "Italian Immigration." Digital History: Using new technologies to enhance teaching and research. 2007. Web. 9 Dec 2009.

<http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/italian_immigration.cfm>.