GENERAL HISTORY AND STATUS OF ETHNIC GROUP
17,815,289
6.0% of the US population (2008)
In the 2000 U.S. Census, Italian Americans constituted the fifth largest ancestry group in America with about 15.6 million people, 5.6% of the total U.S. population. Sicilian Americans are a subset of numerous Americans of regional Italian ancestries. As of 2006, the U.S. Census estimated the Italian-American population at 17.8 million persons, or 6% of the population constituting a 14% increase over the six year period. However, the U.S. Census Bureau has not provided an explanation for the increase. Italian Americans are the fifth largest ethnic group in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The four larger groups are: the Germans, Irish, English and African Americans.
Regions with significant populations
Found in the:
Northeast, New England, Midwestern United States, West Coast, Florida
Heavily concentrated in:
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City, Upstate New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland-Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and South Florida.
Languages:
American English · Italian · Sicilian · Neapolitan, other Italian dialects and languages of Italian historical minorities
Religion:
Roman Catholic, with Protestant and Jewish minorities.
Italian Americans are evenly split among the three political parties: 35 percent Republican; 32 percent, Democrat; and 33 percent Independent, according to the NORC. No matter their political orientation, Italian Americans tend to support liberal social causes: 89 percent would vote for a woman president; 55 percent are pro-choice; and more than 60 percent think the government should spend more on health, education and the poor.
Amount of Italians in American States:
New York 2,737,146
New Jersey 1,503,637
California 1,450,884
Pennsylvania 1,418,465
Florida 1,003,977
Massachusetts 860,079
Illinois 744,274
Ohio 675,749
Connecticut 634,364
Michigan 450,952
Texas 363,354
Maryland 267,573
Virginia 257,129
Arizona 224,795
Rhode Island 199,077
Louisiana 195,561
Wisconsin 172,567
Georgia 163,218
Interesting Video About Italian Controversy of Television
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4002565/
Quotes
“Italian-Americans have served an important role in the economy of the United States, and have founded companies of great national importance, such as Bank of America (by Amadeo Giannini in 1904), and companies that have contributed to the local culture and character of U.S. cities, such as Petrini's Markets (founded by Frank Petrini in 1935), among many others. Italian-Americans have also made important contributions to the growth of the U.S. economy through their business expertise, such as the management of the Chrysler Corporation by Lee Iacocca, and the creative innovations of Martin Scorsese for film companies such as Columbia Pictures and Warner Brothers.”
“According to Census Bureau data, Italian Americans have an average high school graduation rate, and a higher rate of advanced degrees compared to the national average. Italian Americans throughout the United States are well represented in a wide variety of occupations and professions, from skilled trades, to the arts, to engineering, science, mathematics, law, and medicine, and include numerous Nobel prize winners”
“According to the Sons of Italy News BureauPDF (339 KB), from 1998 to 2002 the enrollment in college Italian language courses grew by 30%, faster than the enrollment rates for French and German. Italian is the fourth most commonly taught foreign language in U.S. colleges and universities behind Spanish, French, and German”
"According to the U.S. 2000 Census, Italian (including Sicilian) is the fifth (seventh overall) most spoken language in the United States (tied with Vietnamese) with over 1 million speakers”
General Information
The few early arrivals were far outnumbered by the soaring number of arrivals after 1880, coming especially from rural villages in Southern Italy, including Sicily and Campania; significant but much smaller numbers came from the northern regions of Liguria and Veneto. About one-third returned to Italy after a few years earning money in the U.S. From 1914 to 1919 the World War limited international movement, and in 1924 the Johnson–Reed Act imposed a quota on immigration.
Civic and social life flourished in Italian-American neighborhoods, with many people belonging to hometown societies. Most identified with their old villages or provinces; few thought in terms of the newly formed nation of Italy. The language they spoke was not the official Italian, developed from the Tuscan dialect, but regional dialects, or in the case of Sicilians, the Sicilian language, making it hard for an immigrant to understand one from another region; few could read or write either Italian or English. Chain migration brought friends and relatives from a particular town to the same destination as previous migrants; this meant that new arrivals immediately had a social network which helped in finding jobs and living space, as well as the adjustment to America. Many Italians arrived in the United States hoping to earn enough money to return home and buy land. Among immigrant groups to America, Italians had the highest rate of returning to the old country.
Italian neighborhoods were typically older areas with overcrowded tenements and poor sanitation. Tuberculosis was rampant. Italian immigration peaked from 1900 until 1914, when World War I made such intercontinental movement very difficult. In the American South, Italian immigrants met hostility and even violence, even lynching.
About two thirds of America's Italian immigrants arrived during 1900-24. Having little education or training, most of them became unskilled laborers heavily concentrated in the cities. The 1970 census revealed, however, that of the second generation under 45 had achieved a level of education approaching the national average. While 71% of the second generation men had blue collar jobs, the proportion was down to 52% in the third generation, according to surveys in 1963.
Short Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U08Bv7UQT1w&feature=related
Works Cited
http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/tablist.html
http://www.niaf.org/research/2000_census_4.asp
Rico, Barbara R., and Mano, Sandra. American Mosaic – Multicultural Readings in Context (3rd ed.). 2001. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company Print
WORKPLACE RESEARCH AND DEMOGRAPHICS
Name of Company contacted: Italian American Alliance for Business and Technology
Address: 535 Griswold, Suite 1844 - Detroit • Michigan • 48226
Phone Number:(248) 227-6143
Website:http://www.iaabt.org/index.html
Name of contact: Edward Vella vicepresident@iaabt.org
How do they accommodate?
How do they accommodate?
The Italian American Alliance for Business and Technology works in close cooperation with the Consulate of Italy in Detroit to provide a forum for its members to share information and learn of growth opportunities by establishing business operations in the U.S. and Italy. The Alliance sponsors both business and social events to foster stronger economic and cultural ties between its members.
The Alliance also works closely with other organizations to pursue and provide opportunities of mutual interest for its members.
What contributions do the "ethnic" groups make to the overall organizational structure?
The Italian American Alliance for Business and Technology was created to serve the needs of Italian industrial companies wanting to do business in the United States and U.S. industrial companies seeking to do business in Italy. More specifically, the goals of The Alliance are:
-To promote the image of its members with regard to their technological, scientific, research and development, design and manufacturing capabilities
-To promote the exchange of ideas and experiences between its members
-To foster business opportunities between its members and North American companies, including trade, investment, joint ventures and other strategic alliances
-To keep North American companies informed about technological, scientific, research and development, design and manufacturing opportunities that exist in the Italian business community
-To work on technological, scientific and cultural matters of mutual interest to individuals and organizations in North America and in Italy
The Alliance also works closely with other organizations to pursue and provide opportunities of mutual interest for its members.
What contributions do the "ethnic" groups make to the overall organizational structure?
The Italian American Alliance for Business and Technology was created to serve the needs of Italian industrial companies wanting to do business in the United States and U.S. industrial companies seeking to do business in Italy. More specifically, the goals of The Alliance are:
-To promote the image of its members with regard to their technological, scientific, research and development, design and manufacturing capabilities
-To promote the exchange of ideas and experiences between its members
-To foster business opportunities between its members and North American companies, including trade, investment, joint ventures and other strategic alliances
-To keep North American companies informed about technological, scientific, research and development, design and manufacturing opportunities that exist in the Italian business community
-To work on technological, scientific and cultural matters of mutual interest to individuals and organizations in North America and in Italy
Who Should Join The Alliance
Essentially, any Italian or North American industrial company seeking to expand their business by entering these markets or by gaining access to unique technology and expertise.Active membership in The Alliance is open to Italian companies engaged in research, development, manufacture or sales of products who have or plan to have facilities in North America or otherwise plan to become commercially active there. Likewise, membership in the Alliance is open to American companies who are engaged in research, development, manufacture, or sales of products, and plan to have facilities in Italy or plan to become commercially active there.Supporting membership is open to any individual or organization interested in and supportive of the goals of The Alliance.
Essentially, any Italian or North American industrial company seeking to expand their business by entering these markets or by gaining access to unique technology and expertise.Active membership in The Alliance is open to Italian companies engaged in research, development, manufacture or sales of products who have or plan to have facilities in North America or otherwise plan to become commercially active there. Likewise, membership in the Alliance is open to American companies who are engaged in research, development, manufacture, or sales of products, and plan to have facilities in Italy or plan to become commercially active there.Supporting membership is open to any individual or organization interested in and supportive of the goals of The Alliance.
Who Belongs to The Alliance
The membership roster of The Alliance lists the names of some of the most innovative and prestigious industrial companies in Italy and North America.
Founding members include:
Comau
Dow Automotive
Fata Automation
FIAMM Technologies, Inc.
Fiat Auto R&D U. S. A.
Performance Technology
Marposs Corporation
Samputensili
Iman Pack Inc.
Tecnomagnete
Teksid
The membership roster of The Alliance lists the names of some of the most innovative and prestigious industrial companies in Italy and North America.
Founding members include:
Comau
Dow Automotive
Fata Automation
FIAMM Technologies, Inc.
Fiat Auto R&D U. S. A.
Performance Technology
Marposs Corporation
Samputensili
Iman Pack Inc.
Tecnomagnete
Teksid
What does The Alliance do?
The Alliance sponsors both business and social events to foster stronger economic and cultural ties between its members.
Additionally, The Alliance offers selected services aimed to helping members in identifying business paths and support structures for business conduct or start up.
ETHNIC GROUP LITERATURE AND "AMERICAN DREAM"
America is known as the land of possibilities where people can start low on the social ladder and work upwards to become successful. Their children will live better lives than their parents and the American dream will live on. The statue of liberty stands strong, welcoming all under her care. Ellis Island is where many came and first stepped foot in their country to be. Italian immigration to America began very early on. Small amounts came to the colonies before the 1800's. These people contributed many things to the Americas such as introducing their techniques of wine making and Italian agriculture methods.
My Italian ancestors who came to America fled their home country for reasons similar to the Irish Catholics. There were agricultural problems, which lead to poverty and malnourishment. During the 1880s American products were seen more and more in Italy and hurt their market. In addition, the once divided Italy became unified and taxes in southern Italy were heavy and difficult for poor farmers and laborers, especially on the countryside. The lack of democracy was also a factor, few people had the right to vote and illiteracy was common. Also, disease had hit them hard and people were dying from sicknesses and starvation. In the North, the people suffered greatly from pellagra, and the South suffered from fatal malaria. Both of these resulted in death and it was not a good time for Italy. Approximately 2 million Italians died each year. All of these factors: low income, poor soil and farming needs, a feudal land system, immense taxes and government corruption all added up to cause the Italians to go to a place where opportunities were everywhere and plentiful. This place was the United States.
Italian Americans have made substantial contributions to American life in the arts, theater, music, and popular culture. As restaurant proprietors and food retailers, they have transformed Italian specialties into foods and beverages consumed by most Americans—notably pizza, broccoli, spaghetti, and hearty red wines. They have also gained prominence in the construction and garment industries. Many other Italian Americans work in professions such as engineering, law and medicine.In most ways Italian Americans now resemble other urban residents of the United States in their education, income, and politics. But Italian Americans prefer to see themselves as lovers of life, good food, and strong family ties. Studies show that Italian Americans are more likely than other Americans to live close to their relatives and to socialize with them regularly. Italian Americans value holiday customs that set them apart from other Americans, such as summertime street festivals honoring patron saints.
Works Cited (Due to Italian Immigration not being in our book, had to use websites).
http://www.niaf.org/research/contribution.asp
"Scientific Racism, History of." Encyclopedia of Race and Racism. Ed. John Hartwell Moore. Vol. 3. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 1-16. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 13 June 2010.
The Alliance sponsors both business and social events to foster stronger economic and cultural ties between its members.
Additionally, The Alliance offers selected services aimed to helping members in identifying business paths and support structures for business conduct or start up.
ETHNIC GROUP LITERATURE AND "AMERICAN DREAM"
America is known as the land of possibilities where people can start low on the social ladder and work upwards to become successful. Their children will live better lives than their parents and the American dream will live on. The statue of liberty stands strong, welcoming all under her care. Ellis Island is where many came and first stepped foot in their country to be. Italian immigration to America began very early on. Small amounts came to the colonies before the 1800's. These people contributed many things to the Americas such as introducing their techniques of wine making and Italian agriculture methods.
My Italian ancestors who came to America fled their home country for reasons similar to the Irish Catholics. There were agricultural problems, which lead to poverty and malnourishment. During the 1880s American products were seen more and more in Italy and hurt their market. In addition, the once divided Italy became unified and taxes in southern Italy were heavy and difficult for poor farmers and laborers, especially on the countryside. The lack of democracy was also a factor, few people had the right to vote and illiteracy was common. Also, disease had hit them hard and people were dying from sicknesses and starvation. In the North, the people suffered greatly from pellagra, and the South suffered from fatal malaria. Both of these resulted in death and it was not a good time for Italy. Approximately 2 million Italians died each year. All of these factors: low income, poor soil and farming needs, a feudal land system, immense taxes and government corruption all added up to cause the Italians to go to a place where opportunities were everywhere and plentiful. This place was the United States.
Italian Americans have made substantial contributions to American life in the arts, theater, music, and popular culture. As restaurant proprietors and food retailers, they have transformed Italian specialties into foods and beverages consumed by most Americans—notably pizza, broccoli, spaghetti, and hearty red wines. They have also gained prominence in the construction and garment industries. Many other Italian Americans work in professions such as engineering, law and medicine.In most ways Italian Americans now resemble other urban residents of the United States in their education, income, and politics. But Italian Americans prefer to see themselves as lovers of life, good food, and strong family ties. Studies show that Italian Americans are more likely than other Americans to live close to their relatives and to socialize with them regularly. Italian Americans value holiday customs that set them apart from other Americans, such as summertime street festivals honoring patron saints.
Works Cited (Due to Italian Immigration not being in our book, had to use websites).
http://www.niaf.org/research/contribution.asp
"Scientific Racism, History of." Encyclopedia of Race and Racism. Ed. John Hartwell Moore. Vol. 3. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 1-16. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 13 June 2010.
