Contributed by Cousin Jenee Bobbora
Around 1885, Palermo and the rest of Southern Italy, especially Sicily, were experiencing a confluence of difficult circumstances that prompted a large wave of emigration to America.1 Here are the key factors:
1. Dire Economic Conditions and Poverty:
Agrarian Crisis: Southern Italy was largely agricultural, with much of the populace being impoverished peasants or landless laborers.2 Land ownership was highly concentrated, and practices like sharecropping (mezzadria) offered little hope for advancement. Soil erosion, deforestation, and a lack of modern agricultural techniques further hampered productivity.
Overpopulation: Improvements in socioeconomic conditions after Italian unification (1861) led to a demographic boom.3 This created severe population pressure, particularly in the already struggling southern provinces, meaning there weren't enough employment opportunities for the growing population.
Lack of Industrialization: Unlike Northern Italy, the South had very little modern industry and lacked resources like coal and iron ore, further limiting job prospects.
High Taxes and Tariffs: The newly unified Italian government, dominated by northerners, imposed high taxes on the South and high protective tariffs on northern industrial goods, which hurt the Southern economy.4
Impact of Phylloxera: The phylloxera vine blight arrived from France around 1880, devastating vineyards across Sicily and further harming the agricultural economy.
2. Social and Political Instability:
Weak State Presence and Corruption: The Italian government struggled to effectively govern and integrate the diverse regions, leading to weak rule of law and rampant corruption, particularly in the South.5
Mafia Influence: The Sicilian Mafia, which had begun to emerge in the 1870s, capitalized on the weak state. They became involved in protecting citrus production (a booming industry), but their presence also contributed to a climate of lawlessness and fear, especially for those vulnerable to predation.6Landowners sometimes even turned to the Mafia to suppress peasant demands.7
Government Repression: The government had brutally repressed a revolt in Palermo in 1866, contributing to a sense of disillusionment and lack of faith in the authorities.
Mandatory Military Service: The new government introduced a mandatory seven years of military service, which was a significant burden, especially for young men who were crucial to family subsistence farming. Many chose to emigrate rather than serve.
3. "Push" and "Pull" Factors for Emigration:
"Push" Factors (from Italy): The overwhelming poverty, lack of land, limited job opportunities, high taxes, political instability, and the impact of natural disasters and blights created a strong "push" for people to leave.8
"Pull" Factors (to America): The United States, experiencing rapid industrialization and economic growth, offered the promise of abundant jobs (especially in heavy construction and manual labor), relatively high wages, and a chance for a better life. The affordability of transatlantic travel and word of American prosperity from returning immigrants further fueled this desire. Many initially came as "birds of passage," intending to work, save money, and return to Italy, but a significant number ended up staying.9
In summary, Palermo, like much of Southern Italy, was grappling with severe economic hardship, social upheaval, and a lack of opportunities in the 1880s. These challenging conditions, combined with the allure of a booming American economy, created a powerful incentive for many Sicilians to leave their homeland in search of a better future.