Finding the Italian American Connection

Understanding and Learning About Italian Heritage

Oct 1, 2009

The history and culture of Italy has created a very diverse group of Italian Americans, with many who cannot identify with their heritage.

October is Italian American Heritage Month; but even though it is officially designated by the President of the United States and numerous state governors, many Italian Americans are unaware of it.

Italian Americans in the United States

According to statistics from the 2000 U.S. Census, almost 16 million Italian Americans, the fourth largest European ethnic group after those of German, Irish, and English descent, live in the United States; and when adding those that have an Italian grandparent or great grandparent, that figure is estimated at 26 million. The Census also revealed that from 1990 to 2000 the number of U.S. citizens reporting Italian heritage increased by seven percent, while other European ethnic groups reported a decline.

The Evolution of Italy

Although Italian Americans share the same inherent traits, the Italian culture is not as strong as other ethnic groups in America. Italy has an extremely diverse cultural background of Phoenicians, Greeks, Villanovans, Etruscans, Celts, Romans, Goths, Lombards, Vikings, Germans, Arabs, French, Normans, Spanish, and Austrians who have settled, invaded, seized, and ruled the country.

With each victory and defeat, Italy’s border changed, dipping in and out of France, Austria, and Switzerland. Even within Italy’s boundaries, growing cities and foreign countries claiming their new territories created flexible perimeters. Genoa, Venice, Milan, Florence, and other towns rich from trade, became quasi-independent city-states; Rome and various territories became a Papal State with a vacillating alliance with France; and, for the most part, the Spaniards ruled southern Italy.

Throughout this evolution 20 regions formed, each culturally diversified and quite independent from the others; and although boundaries and sovereigns changed, the inhabitants of each region retained their customs, language, and history; constants that created the foundation in their ever-changing world. The regions are still quite distinct today, and many Italian Americans identify themselves according to their ancestor’s place of birth.

Italian Unification

Even with complete unification in 1871, when Rome became the Capital of Italy (after many decades of struggle known as the Risorgimento), and under the rule of King Emmanuel II, Italy was still a politically divided and culturally diversified country. Dissatisfied with high taxes, unstable employment, and limited opportunities, Italians started immigrating to the United States; and by 1880, a mass migration had started with many immigrants determined to never look back.

In 1882, in his attempt to build political clout, Emmanuel’s son, King Umberto I, formed the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, and favoring colonial expansion, established colonies in several North African countries. Umberto’s wife, Queen Margherita, made more of a favorable and lasting impression. It was in her honor that Pizza Margherita—the traditional tomato, basil, and mozzarella pizza—was created, forever to change the eating habits of entire countries.

Umberto’s son, Victor Emmanuel III became King of Italy in 1900. Under his rule, the Triple Alliance was renounced and in 1915 Italy joined Britain, France, and Russia in World War I. Meanwhile, up until 1914, almost five million Italians had immigrated to the United States. It was also during this time that Benito Mussolini formed the Fascist Party (named after the Roman symbol for unity).

When Mussolini and his “Black Shirts” stormed into Rome in 1922, to avoid bloodshed, Emmanuel III agreed to Mussolini’s demands and made him Prime Minister. Just four years later Mussolini declared himself Dictator of Italy. It wasn’t until 1946 that Italy finally became a republic, joining NATO in 1949. So although Italy was the birthplace of the Roman Empire, the cradle of the Renaissance, and the home of Baroque, it is just 60 years since the country has been a democracy.

Italy’s Cultural Contributions

At barely twice the size of Florida, Italy—with its exotic amalgamation of cultures—has produced a nationality that has made considerable contributions to art, music, dance, science, math, astronomy, technology, food, wine, fashion, automobiles, architecture, language, and even the calendar. Galileo, da Vinci, Dante, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, de’ Medici, Vivaldi, Machiavelli, Christoforo Colombo; Amerigo Vespucci (America’s namesake), Verrazzano, Marco Polo, Maria Montessori, and Andrea Palladio are just a few Italians who have changed the world.

To some, these names aren’t even recognized as being Italian; and so it is with many of the Italian and Italian American achievements that have been mainstreamed into American culture. Some examples:

Sources

The copyright of the article Finding the Italian American Connection in Historical Resources is owned by Janice Therese Mancuso. Permission to republish Finding the Italian American Connection in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.