Content Warning: This section of the guide includes a discussion of religious discrimination, racism, and child abuse.

In the late 1800s nearly 12 million immigrants came to the United States, many from Europe to escape a faltering economy that caused tough living conditions, crop failure, famine, and job shortages. Italian immigrants were no exception as Beniamino’s (Dom’s) situation in Napoli in The King of Mulberry Street shows: His family of 10 lives in a small apartment with little to eat. Additionally, Jews were persecuted across Europe and emigrated to the United States to escape religious persecution, which is apparent in Beniamino’s mother’s actions and advice, for she removes his yarmulke in the presence of strangers and advises him never to change in front of others, so they do not see his circumcision. 

At the end of the 19th century, nearly three-quarters of immigrants arrived via New York City. As a result, work was scarce, and employers often exploited immigrants for lower pay. Social tensions created competition, distrust, and prejudice between different groups of immigrants. For example, Chinese immigrants already established in US cities faced discrimination like Gaetano’s prejudice. Even Europeans were set against one another, Irish being favored in the job market because of their ease speaking English and because of their lighter skin.