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A New Constitution
The new Italian constitution favors northern Italy, causing the poor, agricultural south's state to deteriorate. Often absent landlords still control large estates, but don't provide any new equipment for the farming process. As a result, many people in the south are poor and suffering. -
A Growing Population
The Italian population takes a gigantic leap from 25 million people to 35 million people, mostly in the south. The nation is overpopulated with a poor economy. Many people start to think about immigrating to America. -
A New Start in America
From the south, with a ever-growing population, poor farming, and absent landlords, young Isabella Russo and her husband, Adriano, are trying to create a better life in America. Adriano feels that he can find work in the city and hopefully get enough money for his own land. -
Work with Padrones
Adriano has found work with the padrones, Italian labor bosses who help new immigrants to America. He now has a job as a construction worker in the east. Although the government monitors the padrones carefully, they cheat Adriano. However, the immigrants have no other choice with so little money for (hopefully) their land and widespread prejudice against immigrants. -
Artificial Flower Maker
Isabella finds a job making artificial flowers, a popular job among immigrant women. At the time, 75% of the artificial flower making workforce is made up of Italian women. -
Moving West
Having finally saved enough money to move west and own their own land, Isabella and Adriano move west, with some help from the Italian population, most of whom are now middle class. Although their life is hard, the free land in the west offers them an oppurtunity to farm like they used to in Italy. Although they face prejudice, they have a better life in America, which was their dream. -
The Johnson-Reed Act
In 1924, the Johnson-Reed Act is passed. It is the first law that provides population quotas for the immigrants from different countries. While many groups, such as the Germans, population expands, the Italians and other countrie's number are severely cut, causing immigration to decline.
