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History of Italian-Americans

The land was owned by the wealthy and rented at very high rates to the poor. They were also paid very low wages and had seasonal unsteady employment (Pretelli, 2013). Another contributing factor to the poor conditions in southern Italy can be attributed to import and export changes. During this time California and Florida began to grown their own fruit crops (Pretelli, 2013; Iorizzo & Mondello, 1980). This resulted in America not buying from Italy and many farmers going under. During this same time period France imposed tax tariffs to help protect their wine industry against Italian imports (Pretelli, 2013). Since 80% of the people of Italy depend on agriculture for their livelihood both of these changes dealt a devastating blow to their economic standing (Iorizzo & Mondello, 1980). America and Russia also had lower priced grain which pushed Italy's out of the running. Then to top it all off they were also dealing with a plant parasite that was destroying crops (Pretelli, 2013). Most of the people left Italy to escape from poverty although some continued to leave even after circumstances improved because they wanted to go to America.
             There were factors that helped to lure the Italians toward America. In the 1870's steamship companies and padroni spread the idea that America was the land of plenty with wonderful rich soil and high wages (Iorizzo & Mondello, 1980). Padroni are Italian Americans who took advantage of other Italian immigrants by contracting them out or having them work for them. The potential immigrants were also told that America welcomed Italians. Many of the early immigrants were temporary or seasonal workers (Pretelli, 2013). They were called "birds of passage" since they came and worked seasonal then went back to Italy (Pretelli, 2013). Those at home saw the money they returned with or sent home to their families; this also lent to the idea of the existence of money and jobs in America.


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