Since Christopher Columbus first landed on these shores, Italians have left their homeland to begin a new life in the New World. Italians in America uncovers their rich heritage and shares their stories of hope and heartache, oppression and liberation, bigotry and assimilation. Italians in America would be useful for classes on American History, Immigration, American Culture and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school

Part I

In the late 19th century, the trickle of Italian immigrants to America turned into a flood. The newly united Italy, which ruled from the north, left poor Italian peasants in the south to take care of themselves. Husbands and sons, some with their families, many without, took the long voyage across the sea to America in search of a better life.

• animosity
• arduous
• assimilation
• bigotry
• callous
• compatriots
• disembark
• exodus
• exploit
• extortion
• idolize
• imposing
• menial
• microcosm
• milieu
• mythologies
• navigator
• panoply
• perseverance
• plight
• quarantine
• stigma
• veneration
• vitality

1. Why was the United States considered the “Promised Land?”

2. Italians, like many other immigrant groups, had various reasons for emigrating to America. What were some of the reasons for this great migration?

3. Many people with ethnic or immigrant backgrounds create a culture that is unique, a combination of their old culture and American culture. Discuss how Italian Americans embodied aspects of both Italian and American culture.

4. What were some of the obstacles Italians faced in the assimilation process?

5. Prior to the 1880s, the American image of Italians was one that was complimentary, not derogatory. How and why did American images of Italians change between 1880s and the 1920s?

6. Discuss some of the cultural and economic differences between northern Italians and southern Italians.

7. Italians practiced “chain migration.” What is chain migration?

8. Some people paid a very high price for their chance at the American dream. What price did some Italians pay to emigrate to the U.S.?

9. Discuss how the padrone system worked. Why do you think this system, even though it exploited new immigrants, was so successful?

10. Discuss the trial of Sacco and Venzetti. What were the political implications of this trial?

1. On a world map, trace the migration routes of Italian immigrants.

2. Imagine that you are an immigrant crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Write a journal or diary entry that tells of you experiences and emotions.

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Air Dates

• October 18, 2004