italian immigratin
Stephen Perri
Representing Race
Pendleton
4/29/13
Italian Immigration 1880-1920 Many people have emigrated from Italy to America over the past few centuries. During the time period of 1880-1920, the largest number of Italians arrived in America as nearly four million Italian immigrants came to the states. Most came from either Sicily or southern Italy and were mostly comprised of lower income people. A majority of the immigrants were known as the "birds of passage". Life was often hard for Italians in America as they were forced into slums and the process of gaining citizenship was difficult. They faced difficult tests, both physically and mentally and many were sent back to Italy for failing. Americans looked down on Italians and they were stereotyped as violent people due to the number of gangs affiliated with the Italian culture. Al Capone was just one of many famous gangsters who reinforced this way of thinking. The Italians brought their heritage and traditions with them, helping to make the United States a cultural melting pot.
Gaining entrance to the United States required a background clean of crime, a small amount of money, and a way to get to America. Many were not even allowed to come to America because the risk was too high that they had gang connections. “In 1921, Congress enacted the Emergency Quota Act, the first immigration law. This legislation restricted the number of immigrants by their country of origin.”(Prezi) The act stated that only three percent of the population from Italy would be emitted to the U.S each year. Once the Italians arrived at Ellis Island, doctors would assess their physical and mental well-being, if they showed any signs of sickness, there was a good chance they would be sent back to Italy. The immigrants would then be subjected to legal inspection, where they would be asked questions. If they answered the questions correctly, they would be welcomed.
After gaining entrance to America during this time period of
Representing Race
Pendleton
4/29/13
Italian Immigration 1880-1920 Many people have emigrated from Italy to America over the past few centuries. During the time period of 1880-1920, the largest number of Italians arrived in America as nearly four million Italian immigrants came to the states. Most came from either Sicily or southern Italy and were mostly comprised of lower income people. A majority of the immigrants were known as the "birds of passage". Life was often hard for Italians in America as they were forced into slums and the process of gaining citizenship was difficult. They faced difficult tests, both physically and mentally and many were sent back to Italy for failing. Americans looked down on Italians and they were stereotyped as violent people due to the number of gangs affiliated with the Italian culture. Al Capone was just one of many famous gangsters who reinforced this way of thinking. The Italians brought their heritage and traditions with them, helping to make the United States a cultural melting pot.
Gaining entrance to the United States required a background clean of crime, a small amount of money, and a way to get to America. Many were not even allowed to come to America because the risk was too high that they had gang connections. “In 1921, Congress enacted the Emergency Quota Act, the first immigration law. This legislation restricted the number of immigrants by their country of origin.”(Prezi) The act stated that only three percent of the population from Italy would be emitted to the U.S each year. Once the Italians arrived at Ellis Island, doctors would assess their physical and mental well-being, if they showed any signs of sickness, there was a good chance they would be sent back to Italy. The immigrants would then be subjected to legal inspection, where they would be asked questions. If they answered the questions correctly, they would be welcomed.
After gaining entrance to America during this time period of