Figure 1.--Here we see the Immigrants' Hostel (Hospedaria dos Imigrantes) in Sao Paulo during the 1890s. Italian immigration began in force during the 1880s and most came as agricultural workers. Many came from southern Italy. The Planters financed programs to promote immigrantion because few former slaves wanted to work on the plantations after abolition.

Many Europeans have emigrated to Brazil. Other than Poruguese, the largest European immigrant group in Brazil is Italian. A factor here is that Italy is one of the most populace European country, and the poorest of the major countries. Large numbers of Itlians emigrated to the United States, Argentina, and Brazil in the late-19th century and early 20th-century. Argentina and Brazil offfered cultural similarities (religion and language) that the United States did not offer. And in the 19th century it was not at all clear that America would emerge as such a succesful, rich country. In fact it look at the time that Argentina was going to become a very successful country. And there were high hopes for Brazil as well. As a result, many Italians opted for Argentina and Brazil rather than the United States. Italian emigration began shifting to the United States because of the greater economic opportunities there. Even larger numbers of Italuans eventually emigrated to the United States, despite the fact that America was a largely Protestant country. Economic opportunity was a major draw, but openess and toleration of cultural differences overcame the cultural similarities of Argentina and Brazil. More than a million Italians entered Brazil, far more than any other nationality (1884-1903). This was the peak period of immigration. The Prinetti Decree (1902) ended subsidised emigration to Brazil. This significantly reduced Italian immigration. After World War I the United States began restricting immigraion. This reduced the options for Italian and other European immigrants. Various sourcs estimate that Italians represent 10-15 percent of the population. This is based on cultural self identification. The relatively recent arrival of the Italians compared to the Portuguese meant that the Italian cultural footprint was much more pronounced. Actual etnicity may be somewhat less. Italians are especially imprtant in the São Paulo area. We note the Quadri family in 1927, an Italian immigrant family.

Importance

Many Europeans have emigrated to Brazil. Other than Portuguese, the largest European immigrant group in Brazil is Italian. A factor here is that Italy is one of the most populace European country, and the poorest of the major countries. Large numbers of Itlians emigrated to the United States, Argentina, and Brazil in the late-19th century and early 20th-century.

Culture

Emigrating to another country away from famoly and friends is an enomous step. No one eally knew what they were going to find on the other side of an ocean. Anf this was all before modern communicvations. There was no way for poorlt educated people, many illiterate to find out nwhat they may find when they arrived. For many it was a decisiin baed on rumors. This changed a bit once the wave of emigration had begun. People wrote home to family and friends. Still it was a huge decision for most. Argentina and Brazil offfered cultural similarities (religion and language) that the United States did not offer for some time. An religion was avery important matter in the 19th and early-20th century than it is today. Thus Catholic Latin America looked more welcoming than Protetant North America to many italians. For many, it was comforting to know that they would find the same church in place when they arrived in their new country. And the Spanish language was much closter to Italian than English, easing adjustment. Even larger numbers of Italians eventually emigrated to the United States, despite the fact that America was a largely Protestant country. Economic opportunity was a major draw especially as the American economic dynamo became clearer. And America's openness and toleration of cultural differences overcame the cultural similarities of Argentina and Brazil.

Economies

In the 19th century it was not at all clear that America would emerge as such a succesful, rich country. Even in the late-19th century, it was not certai what the future held. In fact it look at the time that Argentina and Uruguay were going to become a very successful country, developed country. And there were high hopes for Brazil as well. As a result, many Italians opted for Argentina and Brazil rather than the United States. Eventually Italian emigration began shifting to the United States because of the greater economic opportunities there, but karge numbers continued to chose Latin America. The failure of the South American countries to live uo to their earlier promise is a fascinating story and should give pause to the young Amerivans who seem to feel that socialism is the solution to their problems.

Numbers

More than a million Italians entered Brazil, far more than any other nationality (1884-1903). This was the peak period of immigration. The Prinetti Decree (1902) ended subsidised emigration to Brazil. This significantly reduced Italian immigration. After World War I, howevr, the United States began restricting immigraion. This reduced the options for Italian and other European immigrants. Various sourcs estimate that Italians represent 10-15 percent of the population. This is based on cultural self identification.

Cultural impact

The relatively recent arrival of the Italians compared to the Portuguese meant that the Italian cultural footprint was much more pronounced. Actual etnicity may be somewhat less. Italians are especially imprtant in the São Paulo area. We note the Quadri family in 1927, an Italian immigrant family.

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Created: 8:09 PM 6/29/2017
Last updated: 3:13 AM 5/13/2019