Causes and effects of the migratory Italian waves in the 19th - 20th centuries

• Author: Ana Laura Buliga
• Position: Liceul Teoretic, Dante Alighieri
• Pages: 53-60

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 9 (58) No. 2 - 2016

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE

MIGRATORY ITALIAN WAVES

IN THE 19TH – 20TH CENTURIES

Ana Laura BULIGA1

Abstract: The phenomenon of the Italian migration proved to be intense

and diverse as regards the territorial origins, but also social diversity.

Migration is the process involving people of different social status and

economic, cultural, religious changes in the society accepting it. The

abandonment of the original area by people in order to settle in other areas

depended on political, economic or natural factors. The Italian migratory

process became a great migration to America, Australia and mainly in

Europe. Searching for a safer or better future, Italians came to Romania as

well, establishing steady communities.

Key words: permanent migration, seasonal migration, expatriations,

demographic evolutions, migratory flows, individual and collective

migration.

1. Introduction

Understanding migration as a component of the economic and social life of each state

leads to the idea that orderly, well managed migration can be beneficial for individuals

and societies as it generates ethnical and religious syntheses, economic changes and

regional and overall readjustments of power relations, involving acculturation and

exchanges of values (Bocancea, 2011, p.3).

2. Causes of Italian migration

In the context of the economic changes in the 19th century that led to the decline of old

artisan crafts and domestic industry, Italian migration intensified. Given that the effects of

the industrial revolution in Europe were causing increased agricultural productivity and

urbanization, the rural labor force turned to urban activities. Migration was constant in the

peninsular life before and after the 19th century and the political, economic and religious

crises they faced determined the displacement of population in urban and rural areas. It is

not ease to determine migration causes, but most times there were various reasons

triggering the displacement from a familiar place to unknown territories. Natural causes

1Liceul Teoretic ,,Dante Alighieri”, analaurabuliga@yahoo.com