The Truth Behind Southern Italian Migration to America: Poverty, Not Discrimination

The widespread belief that the unification of Italy and prejudice faced by Southerners were significant reasons for their emigration to America is a misconception. In reality, the primary driving force was poverty, along with the demand for industrial labor in the United States.

The Lack of Prejudice in Early 20th Century Italy

Contrary to popular belief, there was virtually no prejudice against Southerners in Northern Italy prior to 1950. For instance, in Turin, a city with a population of nearly 600,000, only 36 people from the Napoli region were recorded between 1910 and 1929. Pizza, a stereotypical representation of Southern Italian cuisine, had already made its appearance in New York decades before this time.

This significant lack of prejudice is further supported by the fact that racism did not become prevalent until much later. The upper class might have exhibited racist behaviors, but the general population, both Northerners and Southerners, was generally poor and illiterate, with little interaction or knowledge of each other's existence.

Uniform Italy and the Emergence of Italy as a Nation

The unification of Italy did little to alleviate the living conditions for Southerners. This was more a result of indifference from the new national authorities and a conservative attitude among the southern landowners, such as Giuseppe Tommaso di Lampedusa who portrayed their mindset in his novel "The Leopard."

It is important to note that Italy as a nation was largely born during World War I, where the country faced significant challenges and transformations.

The Push-Factors of Migration: Poverty and Industrial Demand

The primary reasons for the mass migration of Southern Italians between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were the demand for industrial labor in the United States and the desire for better living conditions. These push-factors far outweighed any perceived prejudice or stereotypes.

The central government’s attempts to economically develop the South, which began in the 1950s, paradoxically led to increased emigration. These programs, which cost billions of euros, failed to deliver on their promises of industrial development or improved infrastructure. Instead, they fueled animosity and competition, especially among the working classes, as Southerners competed for the same jobs in Northern Italy.

Conclusion

The misconception that Southerners left Italy due to prejudice is a myth. Poverty and the demand for industrial labor were the driving forces behind their migration to America. The subsequent attempts by the central government to develop Southern Italy may have contributed indirectly, but poverty was the root cause of the mass migration.