From+their+persepctive,+how+would+life+in+America,+specifically+in+Pittsburgh,+be+portrayed?+(social+realism)

﻿ ﻿  Social Realism Between 1880 and 1950 thousands of Italians immigrated to the United States seeking not only the opportunities found in America but an escape from the poor economic times in Italy. Upon arrival, immigrants would view Pittsburgh as a haven almost because this industrial city was saving them from their economic troubles.  Manufacturing and Industrial businesses in the Pittsburgh were looking for unskilled laborers and the Italians took this opportunity. Having little education, an Italian immigrant, for the most part, would not be qualified for any job other than a laborer. Most commonly in Western Pennsylvania, Italians worked as coal miners and suffered meager wages, long hours, and dangerous working conditions all in order to make a living.  In a 1900 census, about 40% of Italians living in Pittsburgh were working in some form of labor. Because of the awful conditions involved with construction, mining, and other industrial work, a number of immigrants in Pittsburgh began to take up trades such as tailoring, barbering, or shoemaking. However, a major metropolitan city, Pittsburgh served as a hope for a career choice other than manual labor or trades. The city became an escape from the mines or other forms of labor and posed an opportunity for education. Pittsburgh became home to many Italian doctors, lawyers, artists, and educators.

 Works Cited

Ciotola, Nicholas P. "Italians of Pittsburgh and Western ..." Google Books. Web. 14 Jan. 2011.