push and pull factors
Between 1880 and 1924 more than 4 million Italians immigrated to America. What were some factors contributing to such a massive migration?
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EnviormentWhile a factor of more minor significance, the environment no doubt played a role in the mass Italian immigration. Crop failures in 1840 cause huge famines with countless diseased and starving people. Natural disasters were also commonplace in Italy. The Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857 killed over 30,ooo people, while Mount Vesuvius in 1906 and the Messina earthquake in 1908 kill over 200,000 combined and totaled homes and farmland across the country. The 1915 earthquake in Avezzano was the last straw for many Italians who left for America seeking a more hospitable environment.
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Pulled into AmericaBesides the awful conditions of Italy, there were many positive facets of America that caused citizens to emigrate out of their home country. First and foremost, a stable and secure future in America with increased job security was highly appealing to Italian immigrants. The U.S. was much more safer than Italy, both in terms of everyday interactions and natural disasters. Many Italians heard from friends and family about the wonders of America, and wanted to join their loved ones in what seemed like paradise.
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Life in the United StatesNeedless to say, most immigrants weren't disappointed. Getting employed was (relatively) easy in most cases, and children found that public education was much better. An uncorrupt political system meant better social services and overall less crime. The police were better than those in Italy, as were most medical facilities. More American adults could read, and the average lifetime of an American citizen was higher than that of an Italian at the time. While life for the immigrants was no where near perfect, America seemed like a safe haven from their old life to many.
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Works cited
Canal in Italy. Digital image. Surprising Italy. N.p., 26 Mar. 2016. Web. 12 June 2016.
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Project by Ben Crair, Luke Macy, Will Ian, and Dom Riccio
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