What happens when people are forced to choose between their homeland and their cultural identity? Our project examines an extraordinary historical event: the 1939 “Option.” At that time, around 230,000 German-speaking South Tyroleans had to decide whether to remain in Italy and assimilate culturally—or emigrate to Nazi Germany. This decision profoundly shaped families’ lives and left a lasting impact on the region.

We aim to understand why households made these choices, what role economic considerations, cultural ties, social networks, and propaganda played—and how these decisions influenced long-term economic development, political preferences, and social cohesion.

To do this, we use unique archival data: detailed application records from the Option, complemented by historical baptismal registers and modern surveys. This rich data allows us to analyze how migration and forced assimilation affect not only individuals but also the broader economic and social fabric of communities.

Our findings will provide new insights into the interplay of culture, identity, and economics—issues that remain highly relevant today in the context of migration, displacement, and integration. The project will also make these historical data publicly available, contributing to both academic research and cultural memory.