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Italian Emigration: Destinations

Anna Scichilone
Figure 1.--This is perhaps the most famous image of Italian emigration to the United States. It was taken in 1905 by Lewis H. Hine in Ellis Island (New York). The photo shows an Italian emigrant (Anna Scichilone) with her children arriving in the States. It was common for Italian husbands to emigrate first rather than the entire family. Some husbands returned to Italy. Others after estblishing themselves sent for the rest of the family. You can see the understandable apprehension in their faces, but also a determination to launch a new life in America.

Many of the early Italian immigrants went to neighbiring European countries and to South America, especially Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. There was more cultural afinity with the South American countries than largely Protestant North America. Italians in the second half of the 19th century, however, began a mass exodus to countries with more promising economic opportunites. Southern Italy was almost entirely an agricultural economy, but crop yieds were low and few peasants owned land. Italians left for many different countries. The single most important destination was the United States. We are unsure about the impact of Italiam emigrants on other countries, but they had a profound impact on an America tht was still largely Protestant when they arrived. Protestants were unsure if Catholics could be patriotic Americans. Interestingly, Catholics, especially Itlian Catholics, are today among the most patriotic American voters.

European Countries

The substantian emigration of Italians began in the mid-19th century, with an increase in late century. Economic conditions and improved transportation systems were both factors. The largest number of migrants left for the Americas, especially the United States. Substantial numbers also migrated to other European countries. France was the most important European destination, in part becuse it was close and Catholic. The fact that France had annexed areas with Itlalian populations was another factor. We are lkess sure about the extent of the Italian population in other countries, but we do note Italians in many other European countries, including theProtesant countries of northern Europe.

United States

America at first was not the primary destination, but this changed over time. Eventually about 4 million Italians came to America. While many returned, many stayed making Italians one of the most important Anerican immigrant groups. At the same time the United States was expanding west led by rapidly growing railroads. The railroads played an important role in promoting immigration. The railroads received bonuses from the Federal Government in land, but the land had little value unless there was someone to sell it to that would generate cargoes. Immigrants mean both customers and workers willing to work for low wages. American companies, like the Union Pacific Railroad sent recruiters to Italy. Other companies like stockyards did as well. They were especially iterested in young males age 14 to 25. Many early Italian emmigrants returned to Italy from America with money and boased of their success, which generated even more emmigration. We are unsure about the impact of Italiam emigrants on other countries, but they had a profound impact on an America tht was still largely Protestant when they arrived. Protestants were unsure if Catholics could be patriotic Americans. Interestingly, Catholics, especially Itlian Catholics, are today among the most patriotic American voters.

South America

South America was another important destination for Italian immigrants. Italian emigration was especially important to Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Italian emigrants were attracted to these Catholic countries, in part because of the cultural and linguistic affiities. Emigration was at first to these coutries than to the United States. The Proestant culture and English language was at first seen as a seemingly insurmoutable or at least forboding barrier. It is unclear why emigration gradually shifted to the United states. The promotions by steamship companies and industrialists may have been a factor. We suspect that the greater relative success of immigrants in America spread word of mouth may have been the principal factor. A good example of an Italian-Brazilian family is the Quantri family which emigrated to Brazil.







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Created: 1:48 AM 2/26/2007
Last updated: 1:12 AM 6/30/2017