Italian influence
IMMIGRATION
SUMMARY: The history of Italian immigration begins in 1492, when Christopher Columbus first set foot on America. He launched launched mass migration, that transformed the continent. As the great surge of migration continued into the 20th century, Italian communities sprung around the country. Some Italians seized entrepreneurial opportunities in America. For example:
"Italian immigrants in upstate New York formed the Contadina food company in 1918,
and Andrea Sbarbaro of Genoa helped establish the California wine industry. In turn-of-
the-century San Francisco, a Neapolitan American named A.P. Giannini began offering
small loans to his fellow Italians, going door to door to collect interest. Eventually,
Giannini’s operation grew until he was forced to rent an office in the North Beach
neighborhood, then to buy a building. Today, Giannini’s Banca D’Italia has become one
of the world’s largest financial institutions, the Bank of America."
However, most Italian immigrants seized employment in low paying jobs, under unhealthy working conditions. Child labor was common in Italian communities, where they worked in factories, mines, farms, or sold newspapers. Italians were among the lowest paid in the United States, at the turn of the 20th century. Many thousands of Italians found considered themselves prisoners of the patron system of labor. Therefore, many Italians began taking organized action to fight against absurd management and unsafe working conditions. Many formed their own unions, like the Italian Workers union in Houston. Italian unions and workers dispersed across the U.S., were the most active in great labor struggles of the early 20th century. Examples include, leading strikes in Tampa cigar factories, granite quarries in Vermont, textile mills in New England, etc. This lead for many new reforms in policies, in favor of company employees. These are policies that still protect employees today in America.
ANALYSIS: Italians have provided America with a variety of traditions and customs through integrated populations over generations, however, they have also significantly impacted labor union efforts across the United States. Throughout the 20th century, Italian labor unions have proved to provide all American employees with a voice in large industries. As a result of union efforts, American industries have policies in place to protect the health of employees. This has been beneficial to national prosperity because minorities were able to be heard through unions. This has promoted significant change in policies across different industries. Through this system that has continued to be successful through modern day, individuals have the opportunity to defy corporations and fight for individual rights. Thus, this had promoted innovative ideas to become effective in society, of which some are still prevalent today.
"Italian immigrants in upstate New York formed the Contadina food company in 1918,
and Andrea Sbarbaro of Genoa helped establish the California wine industry. In turn-of-
the-century San Francisco, a Neapolitan American named A.P. Giannini began offering
small loans to his fellow Italians, going door to door to collect interest. Eventually,
Giannini’s operation grew until he was forced to rent an office in the North Beach
neighborhood, then to buy a building. Today, Giannini’s Banca D’Italia has become one
of the world’s largest financial institutions, the Bank of America."
However, most Italian immigrants seized employment in low paying jobs, under unhealthy working conditions. Child labor was common in Italian communities, where they worked in factories, mines, farms, or sold newspapers. Italians were among the lowest paid in the United States, at the turn of the 20th century. Many thousands of Italians found considered themselves prisoners of the patron system of labor. Therefore, many Italians began taking organized action to fight against absurd management and unsafe working conditions. Many formed their own unions, like the Italian Workers union in Houston. Italian unions and workers dispersed across the U.S., were the most active in great labor struggles of the early 20th century. Examples include, leading strikes in Tampa cigar factories, granite quarries in Vermont, textile mills in New England, etc. This lead for many new reforms in policies, in favor of company employees. These are policies that still protect employees today in America.
ANALYSIS: Italians have provided America with a variety of traditions and customs through integrated populations over generations, however, they have also significantly impacted labor union efforts across the United States. Throughout the 20th century, Italian labor unions have proved to provide all American employees with a voice in large industries. As a result of union efforts, American industries have policies in place to protect the health of employees. This has been beneficial to national prosperity because minorities were able to be heard through unions. This has promoted significant change in policies across different industries. Through this system that has continued to be successful through modern day, individuals have the opportunity to defy corporations and fight for individual rights. Thus, this had promoted innovative ideas to become effective in society, of which some are still prevalent today.