Book
Building Little Italy: Philadelphia's Italians before mass migration
Pennsylvania State University Press • University Park • Published In 1998 • Pages:
By: Juliani, Richard N..
Abstract
This study documents early Italian-American immigration and settlement in Philadelphia prior to the mass migration of the 1870s. Juliani examines the individuals, communities, and institutions that made up the early settlements. This investigation presents a different picture of immigration and immigrants. The early immigrants were solitary travelers. They were educated and skilled musicians, artisans, and philosophers, who were in general favorably regarded by Philadelphia's urbane citizens. This attitude would change along with changes that came with increased population growth, industrialization, and immigration in the 1830s and 40s. Juliani documents how an ethnic community emerged once a critical mass of Italian-speaking immigrants was obtained and was stabilized by successful businesses. The community became a beacon for the mass migration which followed. The immigrants' assumption of a general Italian-American identity was a consequence of common discrimination experienced by all Italian-speaking immigrants by the dominant English-speaking inhabitants.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Sociologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ;1999
- Field Date
- no date
- Coverage Date
- 1750-1870
- Coverage Place
- Philadelphia, Pa., United States
- Notes
- Richard N. Juliani
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 369-383) and index
- LCCN
- 97037369
- LCSH
- Italian Americans