Presentation Abstract

Student's Name: Oaklee Lamberto '23

Co-registrant Names:

Type of Presentation: Paper

Presentation Title: "Immigrant Identity since the 1900s"

Abstract:

Between the 19th and 20th century, America experienced a boom in European immigration. Immigration proved contentious since the 1790s, and tensions continued to rise through the late 19th century. Stories reflected the mass-arrival of immigrants from multiple countries that helped to shape cultural identities within the United States. The examples we will look at will be Irish and Italian immigrant cultures. Numerous citizens from Ireland and Italy came over by the early 20th century to start new lives in hopes of achieving the America Dream. However, instead of welcoming arms, they were met with intense discrimination within housing and job markets as well as everyday life. This presentation will look at how these challenges shaped Irish and Italian identities within America, and analyze how their treatment and harmful stereotypes affected their ethnic cultures and interactions with each other.

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