In “History of Italian Immigration”, Alexandra Molnar introduces readers to a new era of immigration, known as ‘New Immigration’, which resulted in America opening up its gates to millions of Italian immigrants, among others. This foreign population consisted of two classes: laborers, and the more elite and educated craftsman. Molnar goes on to explain, that considering the massive influx of Italians to America, they made up a significant amount of the work force, integrating into society as crucial members of industrial sectors.
Molnar interestingly mentions that many Italian immigrants chose to leave America with the money they made, rather than staying and investing their money in the United States. This created a significant barrier between …show more content…
I feel that most Italian immigrants built up America so much in their heads, that they saw America almost as a utopia. However, when they actually experienced the realities of life in America, they were heavily disappointed that their expectations were not met. Even immigrants today almost feel that as soon as they step foot in America, their problems will disappear. When their problems come with them, they learn the hard way that America is just like any other place, not a land of miracles. America has been a source of hope for so many and for so long, that I think it is hard to blame immigrants for thinking in this way. Still, surprisingly enough, many immigrants did not complain because they were still benefitting more from life in America than in their homeland, as we saw with Molnar’s comparison of average wages in America and in Italy per certain number of
Molnar interestingly mentions that many Italian immigrants chose to leave America with the money they made, rather than staying and investing their money in the United States. This created a significant barrier between …show more content…
I feel that most Italian immigrants built up America so much in their heads, that they saw America almost as a utopia. However, when they actually experienced the realities of life in America, they were heavily disappointed that their expectations were not met. Even immigrants today almost feel that as soon as they step foot in America, their problems will disappear. When their problems come with them, they learn the hard way that America is just like any other place, not a land of miracles. America has been a source of hope for so many and for so long, that I think it is hard to blame immigrants for thinking in this way. Still, surprisingly enough, many immigrants did not complain because they were still benefitting more from life in America than in their homeland, as we saw with Molnar’s comparison of average wages in America and in Italy per certain number of