Southern Italian Immigrants Research Paper
There were many factors that lead to the emigration of Italians to America in the 1800’s and 1900’s. The Italians in Southern Italy were the ones who suffered the most. Southern Italy was under the control of Spanish Monarchy, and kings left them living in poverty. In fact, 85% of Italian immigrants came from South of Naples down to Sicily. Garibaldi’s victory unfortunately did not produce the outcome Southern Italians were looking for. They were soon invaded by Northern Italy, and by that time, most southern peasants could not provide for their families. Most of their meager wages went to pay for the high taxes enforced by the North. By this time, Southern Italian’s had turned away from outsiders, and invested everything they had in family.