Chapter 10: Italian Americans

In 1891, the largest mass lynching in American history occurred in New Orleans. The victims of this tragic event were Italian Americans. This suggests that a group of Italian Americans was targeted and subjected to violence, possibly due to racial or ethnic prejudice. The specific reasons behind the lynching may vary, but it is clear that the Italian American community suffered greatly during this incident.

Italian immigrants placed a strong emphasis on family. Family was considered the center of their lives and was a source of support and stability. Italian immigrants valued close-knit relationships, and family ties were highly prioritized. They often lived in multigenerational households and relied on extended family members for emotional and financial support. Family gatherings and traditions played a significant role in their daily lives, helping to preserve their cultural heritage and provide a sense of belonging in a new country. This emphasis on family was a distinct characteristic that set Italian immigrants apart from other groups, such as Irish immigrants.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 was not a key event in the resurfacing of anti-Italian prejudice in US history. This event was related to the Japanese attack on the United States, not Italy. Anti-Italian prejudice resurfaced due to factors such as the Sacco and Vanzetti case, where two Italian immigrants were wrongly convicted of murder, and mafia activity, which perpetuated negative stereotypes about Italians. WWII also played a role in reinforcing anti-Italian sentiment, as Italians were seen as enemies during the war.

Italian immigrants tended to settle in the port cities of the east because these cities provided them with opportunities for work and economic advancement. The ports offered jobs in industries such as shipping, manufacturing, and construction, which were attractive to immigrants seeking employment. Additionally, the port cities had established Italian communities and support networks, making it easier for new arrivals to find housing, social connections, and cultural familiarity. This concentration of Italian immigrants in the port cities of the east also allowed for the preservation of Italian language, customs, and traditions within these communities.

The correct answer is 1910s and 1920s. During this time period, there was a significant increase in the number of Italian immigrants coming to the US. This was due to various factors such as economic opportunities, political instability in Italy, and the desire to escape poverty. The 1910s and 1920s saw a peak in Italian immigration to the US, with many Italians settling in cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston.

Italian immigrants faced a hostile reception when arriving in New York City. This suggests that they were met with hostility and unfriendliness from the local population. This is in contrast to the welcoming reception that other European immigrants received, indicating that the treatment of Italian immigrants was noticeably different.

The US Catholic Church favored the Irish immigrant group the most. This can be attributed to the fact that a large number of Irish immigrants arrived in the United States during the 19th century, primarily due to the Great Famine in Ireland. The Catholic Church, being a predominantly Irish institution at the time, provided support and assistance to the Irish immigrants, helping them settle and integrate into American society. The Church played a significant role in providing education, social services, and advocating for the rights of the Irish community, thus establishing a strong bond between the Irish immigrants and the Church.

The correct answer is "persisted". This suggests that despite living in Italian enclaves, the Italian language continued to exist and be used by immigrants. It implies that the Italian language did not fade away or become useless, nor was it replaced by English.

The correct answer is religious mandates. While lack of skills, willingness to do menial work, and the need for laborers by the dominant group may have contributed to a high degree of separation for Italian Americans in employment, religious mandates did not play a significant role in this regard. Religious mandates typically refer to religious laws or principles that guide behavior and practices within a particular faith, and it is unlikely that such mandates would have directly affected the employment opportunities or separation of Italian Americans in the workforce.

The given answer suggests that none of the options provided are correct explanations. This implies that Irish, German, and Italian Catholicism did not lead to religious equality in the US, did not have identical histories, and did not share the same practices. Therefore, the answer indicates that there is no correlation or similarity between these three forms of Catholicism in relation to the options provided.

Italian immigration to the US occurred for various reasons, such as joining family members who had previously migrated, escaping the population explosion in Europe, and seeing the move as only temporary and planning to return home. However, religious persecution is not a commonly cited reason for Italian immigration to the US.

Italian Americans responded to the harsh reception by US society through various means, including forming "little Italys" and separate Catholic communities. These communities provided a sense of familiarity, support, and cultural preservation for Italian immigrants. Pluralism in employment refers to the Italian Americans' efforts to establish themselves in various industries and professions, contributing to the diverse workforce in the US. However, massive intermarriage is not a response to the harsh reception but rather a personal choice made by individuals, which may have contributed to the assimilation and integration of Italian Americans into American society.

Approximately 5% of the US population today has Italian roots.

The US Italian American community learned about the New Orleans lynchings through Italian newspapers. These newspapers likely provided coverage and information about the events, allowing the community to stay informed about the tragic incidents. Italian newspapers were a reliable source of news and updates for the Italian American community, keeping them connected to their heritage and providing them with information about events happening in both Italy and the United States.

Approximately two-thirds of Italian Americans now reside in suburbs.

The correct answer suggests that Gambino claimed that Italian Americans are confused about their background. This implies that according to Gambino, Italian Americans lack clarity or understanding regarding their cultural heritage or ancestry.

The given answer states that marital assimilation is relatively low in terms of Italian American assimilation. This means that Italian Americans tend to marry within their own ethnic group and have less inter-cultural marriages compared to other groups. The other options mentioned in the question are true, such as Italians facing less systematic prejudice, experiencing more marriages to non-Italians, and clear patterns of increasing inter-cultural marriages.

The correct answer is "Contandini." Contandini refers to the Southern Italian peasant farmers who left Italy due to food scarcity and natural disasters. This term specifically identifies the group of people who were affected by these circumstances and were forced to migrate.

La Sorte referred to the adjustments Italian Americans made to speaking different dialects in the US as "itaglish".

The term "marginal" is used by sociologists to describe the second generation Italians and anyone who experiences half the culture of their parents and half of the dominant group. This term suggests that these individuals exist on the margins or periphery of both cultures, not fully belonging to either. It signifies a state of being in-between or on the edges of society, with a sense of cultural hybridity and potentially facing challenges in fully integrating into either culture.

The correct answer is "were hired for only the most menial jobs". This means that Italian laborers were only given low-level, unskilled tasks and were not considered for higher positions or more skilled work. This suggests that they were not valued for their abilities or qualifications, and were limited to low-paying and less desirable jobs.