The overall aim of this website is to teach students about the importance of learning and discovering immigration histories from different cultures and learning how these different paths connect and intertwine. Please consider, while looking through the website, how the events Italians faced in America connect or differ from your own family history, or other cultures, before wrapping up with the discussion questions at the bottom.
Please note that all numbers in parentheses ((1)) refer to the provided source document located at the end of the website.
The overall aim of this website is to teach students about the importance of learning and discovering immigration histories from different
Push and Pull Factors
Before we begin in detail about the history of Italian immigration to the United States, it is important to understand what made these immigrants choose to leave their home country and move to America. Here is why:
- Push Factors
- Poverty: Poverty, especially in Southern Italy, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, was a major contributing factor to Italian immigration (3).
- Overpopulation: Beginning in the 1870s, Italian birth rates rose, and death rates fell, leading to overpopulation, especially in the southern provinces (6). This population pressure led to an increase in poverty and a worsening of living conditions, providing another reason to immigrate (6).
- Political Instability: The unification of Italy in 1861 led to political instability and corruption, particularly in the South (1). This instability would push citizens to seek life elsewhere, immigrating to America and other countries (1).
- Pull Factors
- Economic Opportunities: The United States offered the promise of economic opportunities and higher wages, particularly in urban areas with growing industries (6).
- Temporary Migration: Many Italian immigrants initially intended to return to Italy after earning money ("birds of passage") (6). The idea of migrating only temporarily and returning to their families with newfound wealth was especially appealing to immigrants (6).
- Chain Migration: Early Italian immigrants often encouraged family members and fellow villagers to join them in the United States (7). This chain migration created networks and support systems for new arrivals (7).
THe first waves (1800s)
The First Wave - Pre 1880
"Once [stefano] reached San Francisco he headed inland to work in the mines looking for gold and silver in the areas of Groveland CA riding the era of gold prospectors and had a fair amount of luck." (19)
- During this time, immigrants would enter mainly through Castle Garden in New York
- Most immigrants came from Northern Italy, some refugees fleeing wars that accompanied Risorgimento—the struggle for Italian unification and independence from foreign rule.
- By the end of this wave, there were around 25,000 Italians in America (3)
- A major pull factor was the Gold Rush, an event that especially caught the interest of my family, who were able to use the gold to create a comfortable life at home in Italy, purchasing a mill and getting married(19).
Second wave
The Second Wave (1880-1924)
"Stefano's children immigrated to America in search of fortune at the beginning of 1900...Emilio told me that he had owned a plot of land where they built important structures, perhaps the base of a famous bridge near New York, while selling fruit" (19)
- This period would see an influx of over two million Italian immigrants arriving in the United States through the newly opened Ellis Island
- Most would arrive through Southern Italy and Sicily (3)
- Many of the Italians were also young men, who migrated with the main objective of sending back remittances to their families (4). These men were known as "birds of passage", and contributed greatly to the early economic development of the United States and Italy (4)
- The experience of many Italians remained very positive as with Emilio and the rest of Stefano's children, who would return home after 7-8 years (19).
Special Review: Anti-Italianism (Italophobia)
Specifically during the first two waves of Italian immigration, Italians would face an increase in an anti-Italian attitude in the United States. This included:
- In 1891, eleven Italian immigrants were hanged in New Orleans (10). occurred after the assassination of Police Chief David Hennessy, exposing the deep-seated prejudice and hostility towards Italians in the city (10).
- anti- immigration organizations and pro-white organizations like the KKK also targeted Italians in their campaigns (10).
- After World War Two, perceptions towards Italians shifted towards associating them with organized crime and being 'mobsters'. This portrayal was further pushed with media portrayals like movies and TV series (10).
- In present day, while anti-Italianism has been on a decline, negative stereotypes and attitudes towards Italians still persist in some places (10).
Third wave
The Third Wave (Post WW1- WW2)
"I would say life was a challenge...my grandmother died young, leaving my mother to provide for her family, and my relatives moved back to italy" (20)
- After World War One, the majority of immigrating Italians were families, arriving to establish permanent residences (4).
- With a larger influx in immigration, this wave was shattered by the introduction of the Johnson-Reed Act in 1924, and the Emergency Quota Act in 1921 which saw severe limitations on Italian immigration to the United States.
- Due to the changing legislature, Italian immigration saw a sharp decline.
Fourth and Final Wave
The Fourth Wave (1945-Present)
- Following the second world war, immigrants again came to the United States with aims to stay permanently.
- The limiting acts and quotas were later repealed, allowing for a larger influx of Italians to once again immigrate to the United States.
- Italians began to see further acceptance in American society after fighting in WWII, with fighting squads like the "fighting Santoros" who would later be seen as symbols of Italian American patriotism (18).
- Note also that with the close of WW2, anti-Italianism saw a significant decline. However, assimilating and finding a place in American society for Italians would still prove to be a slight obstacle to overcome.
- Most immigration to the United States in the modern era is influenced by job opportunities or current jobs, akin to Mr. Zunino's father moving to Simsbury CT (21).
Discrimination and Challenges Faced by Italians
- Economic Exploitation: Many Italian immigrants were employed in low-paying, dangerous jobs, such as construction, mining, and factory work (6). They often faced harsh working conditions and exploitation by employers (6).
- Padrone System: The padrone system, where labor brokers recruited and controlled Italian workers, often led to exploitation and abuse (8). Padroni exerted control over wages, contracts, and living conditions, sometimes resembling slaveholders more than legitimate employers (8).
- Poverty and Housing: Many Italian immigrants lived in overcrowded, unsanitary tenement buildings (9). These conditions contributed to health problems and social challenges (9).
- Discrimination and Prejudice: Italian immigrants faced prejudice and discrimination based on their ethnicity, religion (Catholicism), and perceived cultural differences (10). They were often stereotyped as criminals, anarchists, or inferior to those of Northern European descent (10).
- Violence and Lynchings: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian immigrants were victims of violence, including lynchings (10). The largest mass lynching in American history involved eleven Italians in New Orleans in 1891 (10).
- Immigration Act of 1917: The Immigration Act of 1917 imposed new restrictions on immigration, including a literacy test (12). This Act disproportionately affected Italian immigrants, many of whom came from rural areas with limited educational opportunities (12). The literacy test became a significant barrier to entry for many Italians seeking a better life in the United States.
Italian Contributions to America
- Economic Development: Italian immigrants played a crucial role in the industrialization of the United States, providing labor for factories, mines, and infrastructure projects (13). They helped build railroads, tunnels, dams, and skyscrapers (13).
- Entrepreneurship: Italian immigrants established businesses in various sectors, including food, construction, and manufacturing (8). They contributed to the development of industries like the California wine industry (8). For example, Andrea Sbarbaro of Genoa played a key role in establishing California's wine industry, while the Contadina food company was formed by Italian immigrants in upstate New York in 1918 (8).
- Italians also introduced popular foods like pizza and meatballs, which have become staples of American cuisine (17). They also contributed to the arts through figures like Frank Capra (filmmaker)(17).
- Military Service: During World War II, nearly one million Italian Americans served in the armed forces, demonstrating their patriotism and contributing to the war effort (15). This service further solidified their place in American society.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Are patterns similar to those seen in Italian immigration similar to those seen in other groups in America? Do their immigration waves differ, or are they alike?
- Would you conclude that the different push and/or pull factors mentioned continue to this day for Italians? For other immigrant groups?
- What lessons can be learned from the history of Italian immigration that are relevant to immigration debates and experiences today?
- What does it mean to be an Italian American today? How is ethnic identity maintained or transformed by later generations?