The remittances sent by emigrants were an essential source of support for families remaining in Italy. Between 1870 and 1914, emigrants are estimated to have sent billions of lire, significantly improving living conditions in many rural communities (considering that 100-200 Italian lire were equivalent to several months’ wages for the middle class). These funds were often used to cover immediate needs, such as purchasing consumer goods or renovating homes, and in some cases, to reclaim mortgaged lands. However, remittances were rarely invested in productive activities or infrastructure that could stimulate local economic development, contributing instead to an economic dependence of rural communities on income from abroad. This dependency failed to fully compensate for the loss of human capital caused by emigration. As a result, the money sent represented a temporary relief rather than a structural solution to the economic problems of the regions of origin.
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Annotated bibliography:
Gabaccia, Donna R. Italy’s Many Diasporas. University of Washington Press, 2000.
Franzina, Emilio. Storia dell’emigrazione italiana. Laterza, 2002.

A flexible and personal journey

It doesn’t matter where you start or which stage you choose to explore first, each point will tell you an important part of “La nostra storia altrove”. You can explore our cultural roots or focus on the social and economic impact of the phenomenon. The important thing is to reach the end, piecing together a great historical puzzle that tells us who we are and where we come from.