Italian Influence on America

The Italians have had more of an impact on the American culture and economy than one would assume. First of all, the word "America" is based off of Italian explorer's name, Amerigo Vespucci, who helped prove Columbus' idea that the new islands he found were actually a new continent. Italians were also the first to cross through New York Harbor when immigrants began to travel to the New World. Italian culture immediately began to have an impact on America from the moment that Italians set foot in the new country. They brought their love for food and music along with them, and this still continues today with Italian Americans. Italian neighborhoods were formed where many immigrants lived in homes near each other, and this began to preserve the Italian culture because all of the people living near each other would only buy from each other and share traditions together. The Italian culture has also impacted the American economy in a few ways which have positively changed the pathway that the economy has taken and will continue to take.

During times of early immigration, unskilled Italian worked would immigrate to America to get a job and then send money home to their loved ones. This greatly helped the American economy because factories and other businesses needed the unskilled workers to continue their business and not have to pay someone a lot of money for work. In more recent years, Italian Americans have stepped up to larger positions which keep the American economy running in the past and hopefully will hopefully help strengthen it in the future. There are a few Italian businessmen who have founded or run major American companies, which have left a lasting positive impact on the American economy. Bank of America was founded by Amadeo Giannini and the Chrysler Corporation is managed by Lee Iocacca. Although many Italians who live in America today are 4th or 5th generations, they still have the customs that their ancestors had who were immigrants to America. This allows them to still influence American culture and economy in similar ways that their ancestors did, and therefore continue to leave an influence from their homeland on America.