The Enduring Impact: Italian Diaspora in Americas
Little Italy is a neighborhood where Italians and people of Italian descent live together, creating a mini Italy within a larger city. It has Italian shops, restaurants, and preserves Italian culture. These enclaves formed due to Italian immigration and are now known for their ethnic charm. These neighborhoods can be found in cities like New York, Chicago, Montreal, Melbourne, Buenos Aires, and many others.
Little Italy in the USA was a vital part of the Italian Diaspora, which took place mainly between the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, millions of Italians left
Italy in search of better opportunities in the United States. The Italian
diaspora refers to the mass migration of Italians from Italy in two main
periods. The first wave started around 1880 due to poverty and overpopulation,
pushing Italians to seek better opportunities in the Americas.
The second wave occurred after World War II and ended in the 1970s. In total,
about 15 million Italians left Italy between 1880 and 1980. According to the Italian American Studies Association,
there are now about 18 million Italian Americans that makes up around 5.4% of all the people in the United States.
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| Stamp of Brazil Italian Immigration |
Currently, there is a
third wave known as “Brain Drain” that refers to a significant movement of people, often resulting from political unrest, better job prospects abroad, or the pursuit of a higher quality of life, where people emigrate or migrate away from their home country. It is commonly used as a slang term because choosing to migrate elsewhere in search of a better life, rather than making sacrifices to resolve the issues within one’s own society or country, can be seen as a reflection of the collapse of moral intelligence or self-centeredness.
Internal
migration also saw four million people moving from Southern Italy to Northern
Italy between the 1950s and 1970s. In 2019, a lot of Italians, especially young
and educated people, left their country, with an estimated departure rate much
higher than official records. It’s like losing a city the size of Bari every
year, mainly consisting of innovative and entrepreneurial young individuals.
However, Italian media and politicians seem more focused on migration from
outside instead of internal diaspora.
This article
emphasizes the historical significance of “Little Italy” areas as
centers of Italian culture in the USA and the broader context of the Italian
Diaspora that led to their creation. It also highlights the ongoing challenges
Italy faces due to emigration, particularly the departure of young, educated
individuals, and contrasts this with the attention given to external migration.
💻 Table of Contents:
- New York City’s Iconic Little Italy
- Exploring Chicago’s Little Italy: A Taste of Italian Heritage
- Boston’s Little Italy: A Slice of Italian Legacy
- From Italy to Newark: The Italian American Story in New Jersey
- “Little Italy”: Beyond USA Shores
New York City’s Iconic Little Italy:
The majority of
Italian immigrants from this era initially arrived on American soil at Ellis Island. In the 1880s, there were 300,000 of
them. In the 1890s, that number doubled to 600,000. Over the next ten years,
more than two million Italians arrived in the U.S. By 1920, when immigration
began to decrease, over 4 million Italians had
arrived in the United States. They made up over 10 percent of all the
foreign-born individuals in the country. At present, New York State is home to
the largest Italian-American population in the United States, with
approximately 3.1 million individuals of Italian descent.
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| Map of the Italian Diaspora in the World |
“Little
Italy” in the USA refers to areas where Italian immigrants and their
descendants have fashioned enthusiastic societies. These areas are like a slice
of Italy within a larger non-Italian city, featuring Italian shops and
restaurants. They developed as Italians settled together during waves of
immigration. Several regions and cities across the United States are commonly
known as “Little Italy” due to their rich Italian-American heritage
and communities. These areas are not only historically significant but also
offer a unique glimpse into Italian culture and traditions.
Little Italy, located
in Lower Manhattan in New York City, is famous for its Italian population.
While it once covered a larger area, it has now diminished and is primarily
centered on Mulberry Street north of Canal Street. Little Italy’s origins date
back to the late 19th century when Italian immigrants settled there, facing
poverty and overcrowding in their homeland.
In its prime, around
1910, Little Italy had nearly 10,000 Italian residents, making it the peak of
its Italian population. However, after World War II, many residents began to
move to other parts of the city and nearby areas like Brooklyn and New Jersey.
The neighborhood also saw an increasing Chinese immigrant population as
immigration restrictions were lifted in 1965, and Chinatown expanded southward.
Over the years, it
has transitioned into a tourist hub with numerous restaurants, cafes, and
cultural events, although the Italian-speaking community has largely moved out.
One of the best times to visit is in late September, during the Feast of San Gennaro, when over a million people
gather to celebrate Naples’ Patron Saint. The
festivities include Italian food vendors, music, parades, and even a
cannoli-eating contest.
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| Sicilian Family |
But anytime you visit
is worthwhile. Don’t miss the historic Ferrara Caffé,
known as America’s first espresso bar (a coffee house). This family-owned business has been serving Italian
pastries, cookies, cannoli, sfogliatelle, and cappuccino since 1892. Despite
its changing demographics, Little Italy remains a historic and vibrant part of
New York City.
Exploring Chicago’s Little Italy: A Taste of Italian Heritage
Taylor Street stands
as one of Chicago’s most historic regions. From the late 1800s to the 1950s, it
served as a vibrant hub for Italian immigrants to build their lives and
families, ultimately earning the distinction of being Chicago’s “Official” Little Italy. Known for its lively
culture, this place has many real Italian restaurants, bakeries, and shops that
offer food just like in Italy. Little Italy in Chicago skillfully blends old
traditions with a modern touch, offering a magnetic gateway to Italian flavors
in the heart of the city.
Additionally, the
district is adorned with Italian specialty stores, markets, and shops, offering
imported products, fine wines, and unique artisanal goods. Nearby, the
University of Illinois at Chicago plays a vital role in fostering academic and
cultural connections with the Italian community, boasting a robust Italian
studies program.
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| Columbus Day Italian Heritage |
Boston’s Little Italy: A Slice of Italian Legacy
The North End, often
called Boston’s “Little Italy,” is a blend of history, Italian
culture, and scrumptious cuisine. Home to iconic landmarks like the Paul Revere
House and Old North Church, it’s Boston’s oldest residential district. Its
quaint streets exude old-world charm, filled with the tempting scents of Italian
dishes from local restaurants and bakeries. Must-try spots include Mike’s
Pastry and Modern Pastry for mouthwatering cannoli. Beyond food and history,
the North End hosts cultural events, like the lively North End Feasts and
Festivals in summer.
In 1875, East Boston
had few Italians, as it was mainly Irish. But after 1895, Italian immigrants
began arriving to escape economic struggles in Italy and overcrowding in
Boston’s North End. By 1910, over 4,500 foreign-born Italians lived in East
Boston, growing to 10,000 by 1920, representing a significant portion of
Boston’s Italian population. While the foreign-born Italian community peaked in
the 1920s, subsequent generations of Italian immigrants continued to enrich the
Italian-American community in the region for many more decades.
From Italy to Newark: The Italian American Story in New Jersey
New Jersey boasts a
considerable Italian American community, with strongholds in cities such as Newark,
Jersey City, and Hoboken. According to the Census,
approximately 17 percent of New Jersey’s population, which equates to about 1.5
million individuals, can trace their roots back to Italy.
Italian migration to
the United States peaked from about 1880 to 1920, with around four million
Italians immigrating during this period, primarily from the southern regions of
Italy. Newark’s various Italian communities emerged during that peak years. In
1880, only 407 Italians lived in the city, but by 1910, this number had surged
to 20,000, making Newark the fifth-largest American city in terms of Italian
population. By 1920, Newark was home to 27,465 Italians who affectionately
referred to it as “NEVARCA,” and they settled in various parts of the
city.
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| Bochas Oliver Family |
As per a recent
estimate from the United States Census Bureau, approximately 17.8 million
Americans can trace their ancestry back to Italy. Italian American communities
took root in numerous major industrial cities during the early 20th century,
including New York, Boston, New Jersey, and others.
“Little Italy”: Beyond USA Shores:
Many Italians left Italy in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, which was one of the biggest emigrations in modern history. They
went to countries like Argentina, Brazil, the United States, Uruguay, Canada,
Venezuela, and Peru. The National Bureau of Economic Research says about 8.9 million Italians went to the Americas, 7.6
million to other European countries, 300,000 to Africa, 42,000 to Oceania, and
13,000 to Asia. Nowadays, sizable Italian ancestral populations can be found in
Brazil (25 million), Argentina (20 million), the US (17.8 million), France (5
million), Venezuela (2 million), Uruguay (1.5 million), Canada (1.4 million),
and Australia (800,000). Outside the United States, you can discover
“Little Italy” or Italian enclaves in various countries, including:
Argentina:
Italian Argentines are people in Argentina with Italian
roots. Many Italians came to Argentina between 1880 and 1930, making it the
largest Italian migration. In the late 1800s and well into the 1900s, the La Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires established
itself as the city’s initial “Little Italy.” It’s estimated that
around 62.5% of Argentines have some Italian ancestry, making it the
second-largest Italian community outside of Italy. Italians, along with the
Spanish, played a significant role in shaping Argentine culture, from language
to customs. Argentina’s cuisine, fashion, and lifestyle have been heavily
influenced by Italian immigration.
Brazil:
Italian Brazilians are people in Brazil who have
Italian ancestry. They are the largest group of people with Italian roots
outside of Italy. Most of them live in São Paulo, and many are in EspÃrito
Santo. Small towns in southern Brazil, like Nova Veneza, have a lot of Italian
descendants.
São Paulo boasts a
significant Italian population, with many settling in the neighborhood of
Bixiga, often referred to as São Paulo’s “Little Italy.”
The national census
in Brazil doesn’t ask about people’s ancestry, so we don’t have official
numbers. But in 2013, the Italian Embassy in Brazil said there were about 32 million Italian descendants in Brazil, which is
about 15% of the population. Half of them are in São Paulo. Italian culture has
a big influence on Brazilian culture, including language, customs, and
traditions. Brazil also loves Italian things like food, fashion, and lifestyle
because of Italian immigration.
Canada:
Little Italy, also
called College Street West, is a part of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. People know
it for its Italian-Canadian restaurants and shops. This place also has many
Latin-Canadian and Portuguese-Canadian residents. Little Italy is mostly around
College Street, somewhere between Harbord Street and Dundas Street. It
stretches out to the east and west between Bathurst Street and Ossington
Avenue. It’s part of a bigger neighborhood known as Palmerston-Little Italy.
Uruguay:
Italian Uruguayans
are people in Uruguay who have Italian ancestry. Many of them are Uruguayan
citizens, and their ancestors came from Italy during the Italian diaspora.
Uruguay has one of the highest percentages of Italians outside of Italy. It’s
thought that around 44% of Uruguay’s population, which is roughly 1,500,000
people, have Italian roots. There are also about 90,000 Italian citizens living
in Uruguay.
Venezuela:
Italian Venezuelans
are people in Venezuela with Italian roots. Many arrived during the Italian
diaspora. Italians were one of the largest European immigrant groups in
Venezuela, and about 16% of the country’s population, or roughly 5 million
people, have Italian heritage. Italian culture has influenced the country’s accent
and diet, making Venezuela the second-largest consumer of pasta per capita
worldwide. Additionally, approximately 30,000 Italian citizens live in
Venezuela.
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| Immigrants from Italy |
Italian Peruvians:
Italian Peruvians are
people in Peru with Italian ancestry. Many of them were born in Peru, but their
ancestors came from Italy during the Italian diaspora. Italians ranked as the
second largest immigrant group to establish themselves in Peru among European
Peruvians.
Italian immigration
to Peru began during the colonial era, when Peru was part of the Spanish Viceroyalty.
However, the largest wave of Italian immigrants came after Peru gained
independence, from 1840 to 1880, during a period of economic growth driven by
guano exports. More Italians arrived between 1914 and 1950, influenced by the
two World Wars and coming from Italy, Argentina, and Brazil. They included
merchants, peasants, and technicians who formed families and settled in Peru
permanently. Approximately 500,000 Italian
Peruvian descendants make up roughly 1.6% of the total population, making them the
second-largest community after the Spanish one.
Conclusion:
In recent decades, Italy has experienced a “Brain Drain”
as many highly educated and skilled individuals have emigrated in search of
better job prospects and professional opportunities. This emigration of
talented individuals can have both positive and negative effects. On the one
hand, it can lead to the exchange of ideas, remittances back to Italy, and
potential for international trade. On the other hand, it may reduce the
country’s growth potential and lead to demographic challenges, particularly in
an aging society.
The balance between these forces and the impact of
brain drain on Italy’s economy and society is a topic of ongoing study and
discussion. It reflects the complexity of Italian migration over time, from the
early waves of emigration to the contemporary challenges posed by the brain
drain.
