Chapter 338: Behind the Scenes
In the midst of the bustling pier where Italian gangsters were pulling in new Italian immigrants, a complex situation was unfolding. For those who joined the Italian gangs, life might not be as grim as one would expect. While it came with its dangers and challenges, being a member of a gang also offered certain privileges, such as the ability to exert influence over ordinary people. This gave them a sense of pride, but the question remained: how could Italian gangsters accommodate such a large influx of Italian immigrants?
The Italian gangsters displayed a high level of professionalism during this period. The United States was in the midst of a railway construction boom, particularly in the western regions. Labor was in high demand, and the Italians saw this as an opportunity to get involved in various projects.
To secure these projects, Italians sometimes used strong-arm tactics. If a boss refused to hire Italian workers, they would create disruptions until the work became practically impossible to carry out. Most bosses ultimately relented, allowing the Italians to take on the projects. However, they demanded high-quality work and sometimes had to hire others to clean up the mess left by the Italians.
The Italian gangsters couldn't conjure up new workers out of thin air, so recruiting people from Italy became crucial. This was why they were willing to fund the immigration of Italians to the United States. These immigrants were seen as a valuable labor force, and their arrival significantly contributed to the development of the nation.
After the Civil War, the United States saw a massive expansion of its railway networks. New York, in particular, benefited greatly from this railway development. The Italian gangsters played a pivotal role in this expansion by ensuring that they could provide laborers for these massive railway projects.
New York's Grand Central Railway Station, a symbol of this railway development, was funded and constructed by railroad magnate Vanderbilt. Italians had made substantial contributions to this project and to the development of New York in general. At the time, Italy was the largest source of immigrants to the United States, filling gaps left by the Germans who had chosen to emigrate to East Africa due to the influence of the Hechingen Consortium.
While many Germans had been dissuaded from going to the United States by the Hechingen Consortium's objective descriptions of American conditions, some adventurous souls saw America as an opportunity for prosperity and disregarded the warnings.
The Italians in the United States had established various engineering companies, using these as a front to recruit workers who would provide labor services to American individuals and companies. They had mastered the art of outsourcing, a practice that allowed them to thrive in the construction and development projects of the era.
Italian immigrants faced low social status upon their arrival in the United States, often working in low-end jobs such as chefs, carpenters, and construction workers. Many Italians accepted these conditions, as they were preferable to the dire circumstances they had left behind in Italy.
Despite the grueling nature of their work, Italians appreciated the relative stability and opportunities the United States provided. They were often willing to endure difficult conditions, as long as they were better off than their fellow countrymen who had not emigrated.
The Italian immigrant community in the United States, while initially enjoying a relatively high status, had seen a significant change in its composition over the years. The influx of less skilled and uneducated immigrants had led to an increase in crime rates and a decrease in the community's overall reputation.
This shift in demographics was influenced by several factors, including the actions of Italian gangsters, the policies of the U.S. government, the state of the Kingdom of Italy, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the actions of Ernst. These combined forces had led to the current situation where Italian immigrants faced hardships and challenges in the United States.
In summary, the Italian gangsters in the United States played a crucial role in providing labor for the nation's development, particularly in the railway construction boom. However, the influx of Italian immigrants and the actions of various parties had contributed to a complex and challenging situation within the Italian immigrant community.
(end of this chapter)