Italian Migration to Canada
... The Italian sailor, Christopher Columbus touched North American soil in 1492. Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci, also sailed to the continent that now bares his name. Furthermore, John Cabot or Giovanni Caboto was another famous Italian explorer. He reached what is now Newfoundland off the coast of Canada instead of Asia. ... Most Italians migrated to Canada and the United States of America in the late 1800s. ... Why would anyone want migrate to Canada from Italy? ... Groups of Italians migrated to the Americas with a significant number landing in Canada. This was and still is the Italian migration to Canada. In the late 1800s, the only way to get from Italy to the Americas was by boat, which was expensive for the common Italian immigrant, such as an Italian farmer or laborer to ride on even if they were on third class. ... After they were reunited with their families, they would go out into Canada to live a new life. By 1830, about 87% of Italian immigrants had settled in Quebec and Ontario with the majority in Montreal and Toronto. ... Many people came to Canada to achieve greater freedom and to have greater economic opportunities; others came because they wanted to join their families. In the mid 1800’s the northern part of Italy started to become industrialized and controlled the Italian government. ... They took as many items as they could carry and migrated to Canada. ... Just to get into the United States and Canada boys and girls, young and old had to go through so much. ... Being an Italian farmer did not leave them with many skills, but some people did become rich and famous such as Amadeo Obici. ... This is a success story that is very rare among Italian immigrants. ... Unlike in Italy when the women would stay home, look after the house, and tend to the children-women swamped the work force in the United States and in Canada. ... Migrating to Canada changed everything for the Italians; the way they speak, the food they eat, and their music.