my project

1. Italian AmericansBy:BeckaBossons

2. 1492 The Americas were discovered by an Italian, Christopher Columbus.

3. In fact, the Americas were named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci

4. The majority of Italian American immigrants arrived from 1880-1914.

5. They were trying to escape poverty in Italy.

6. Many were unskilled peasants who had been living in Sicily.

7. In America they were only able to get jobs such as digging ditches, working on railroads and building roads.

8. They settled mostly in the Northeast part of the country.

9. To form communities, Italian Americans settled together in what became known as Little Italys.

10. Many immigrants were men working to earn money and go back to Italy…

11. Some sent for their families after earning enough to bring them over.

12. Family is very important to Italian Americans.

13. Italian Americans are also known for their cuisine.

14. Italian Americans were often discriminated against during the great migration. Some were dark and were not allowed to attend white schools

15. Italian Americans faced a lot of violence and even lynching.

16. During World War 2, those who stayed true to Italy were put in internment camps.

17. Today there are over 17 million Italian Americans.

18. Very little discrimination exists for today’s Italian Americans.

19. Except stereotypes. Little Italys were know to be violent and Italians started being associated with the mob.

20. Movies did not help this stereotype.

21. TV shows did not either.

22. Few Italian Americans make it in politics because of the stereotype.

23. Many Italian Americans are angry at the way they are portrayed on the Jersey Shore.

24. In reality, many Italian Americans are Christian.

25. The majority are Catholic with the church’s headquarters in Rome.

26. Italian Americans have assimilated. Intermarriage is a last step of assimilation and is common.

27. Some traditions continue. Such as Christmas eve’s feast of the 7 fishes.

28. The tradition is to eat 7 different types of fish on Christmas Eve.

29. Italian Americans, blending two cultures into one great one.