Ethic Group and Discrimination

Italian Immigration to the United States

University of Phoenix

Julie Carlson 

Italian Immigration to the United States

A combination of factors led to a mass emigration from the small country of Italy in the 1800’s that saw millions of these immigrants flee to America for a better life. Once they arrived in the United States these immigrants faced hardships including discrimination and stereotyping. Finally, the 1940’s and 1950’s, these Italian immigrants were accepted as Americans.

Italians comprise the largest group of Europeans who have migrated to the United States (Mintz 2007). Natural disasters, overpopulation, and extreme poverty led to mass migration from their home country of Italy. In the years from 1861 to 1911 the country’s population swelled from 25 million to 35 million (Pozzetta 2000). Natural disasters included two major volcano eruptions, a massive earthquake, and tidal wave in the early twentieth century (Mintz 2007). Italy suffered many invasions and subsequent ruling powers. This feudal system of government allowed hereditary land possession to determine an individual’s political power and social status. Consequently, it was not possible to escape the bonds of poverty for the peasant class. The government was highly influenced and partial to the Northern citizens who were urban dwellers and business owners. Southern Italians were exploited in their homeland by their Northern counterparts. These Italians were poor laborers who worked for landholders. The majority, 75 % in fact, of Italian immigrants to the United States are from the poorest southern regions of Italy (Pozzetta 2000).

Between 1880 and 1930, approximately 5 million Italians immigrated to the United States (Gabaccia 1998). In excess of two million relocated to America in the years 1901-1910 alone (Pozzetta 2000). Many of these immigrants were young men who left their family behind and came to America to earn enough money to return to the old country and buy...