One of the largest migratory movements in Argentine history was that of the Italian community. By 1860, the number of Italians in Argentina had reached over 71,000. The reasons for this migration are diverse and can be explained by examining the periods in which they occurred.

To understand why Italians in Argentina are such a fundamental part of society, it’s necessary to delve into the history and origins of those first Italian immigrants . Join us in this post that we at Tutto Ok have prepared for you to learn about the enormous legacy of the Italian community in Argentina .

Italian immigration to Argentina: the first steps

There was a preliminary stage to the great Italian migration to Argentina , which occurred between 1586 and 1853 , although it was not particularly significant. The most important aspect of this period was that for the Italian immigrants in Argentina and their relatives who remained in Europe, Argentina would never again be an unfamiliar destination .

However, the importance of these preliminary migrations to the great wave that occurred between 1880 and 1914 shows that the first Italians were already beginning to integrate very well into the daily life of Argentinians , being part of events such as the May Junta of 1810 or even as owners of plots of land in the beginnings of the city of Buenos Aires.

The great wave of Italian immigration to Argentina: from 1880 to 1914

The migration of Italians to Latin America began as early as 1854. Among the reasons that spurred this movement, the fact that Italy was almost dismembered due to the Napoleonic Wars is considered very important .

This fragmentation of the country gave rise to two major groups vying for the idea of ​​maintaining the seven independent states or reunifying the country . As a result, this historical process, known as the Risorgimento , took place throughout much of the 19th century .

Precisely because of this unification process, political problems led to economic and social difficulties . This reality prompted a large group of citizens to seek alternatives far from their homeland, giving rise to the wave of Italian immigration to Argentina from 1880 to 1914 , as well as to other destinations in Latin America.

Thus, between this period and even extending until 1930, Argentina received approximately 3.8 million Italians . Among the main Italian immigrants in Argentina were citizens from regions as diverse as Veneto, Piedmont, Liguria, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Calabria, and Lombardy.

These first Italian immigrants to Argentina settled in the country’s capital. However, the rise and expansion of the railway industry allowed them to spread into the interior of the country, initially working in agriculture.

The integration of Italian immigrants into Argentina was easy thanks to the precedent of Italian citizens and their Italian descendants in Argentina , who had already been established in the country for decades.

Population growth and the census of Italians in Argentina

The number of Italian immigrants in Argentina became so large that the 1895 census showed that 49% of Argentine citizens were of Italian origin . So integrated were Italians into Argentine society that two of its presidents, Bartolomé Mitre and Carlos Enrique José Pellegrini, were of Italian descent.

Industrial development of the country as a consequence of Italian immigration to Argentina from 1880 to 1914

We can affirm that part of the increase and development of the country’s industrial activity was a product of Italian migration to Argentina . From the beginning, Italians had a strong presence in all the industries that began to flourish in the country.

From the food industry to textiles and even beef processing and preservation, Italians gradually entered these sectors, contributing their expertise —both that brought from their homeland and that already possessed by their Italian descendants in Argentina through their integration into society since the arrival of the first migrants.

Argentine immigration policies

Many Latin American countries developed policies aimed at attracting waves of European migrants . The main objective was to bring in labor that would accelerate industries and economic programs designed for expansion .

The laws enacted over various years and administrations, such as the 1853 Law and later the Immigration and Colonization Law of 1876, promulgated by Nicolás de Avellaneda, not only fostered Argentine modernization but also instilled the idea that Italians in Argentina could have excellent opportunities in the country—even becoming landowners in rural areas!

It was precisely these benefits offered by these laws that spurred the arrival of new Italian immigrants to Argentina . A defining characteristic of these immigration policies was that the government provided transportation to the country in exchange for entire families committing to settle in agricultural areas to work the land .

Thus, the initial spontaneous Italian immigration to Argentina, a product of political and social problems, became controlled or artificial migrations . The consequence of this was a decrease in the flow of Italian immigrants to Argentina that was initially observed.

Return home: the exodus of Italians in Argentina

One phenomenon that emerged during this migration process was the period of return to Italy of a significant percentage of citizens . As we have been discussing, the 1902 Residence Law compelled a considerable number of Italians to return to Italy, whether voluntarily or not.

While many of these Italians in Argentina who returned to their roots did so with their coffers full, the sad side of the coin is that many others left dejected, having failed to achieve their goals in America. The experience was not as positive as they had hoped.

The achievement of suffrage rights for Italian immigrants in Argentina

Something that consolidated and allowed the transition of Italians from a colony to Argentine citizens was the Sáenz Peña Law itself . During the presidency of Roque Sáenz Peña, he approved an electoral law that finally granted secret and universal suffrage to Italians and their Italian descendants in Argentina.

This law granted immigrants full Argentine citizenship . Thanks to this, from that moment on, the Italian community in Argentina was able to participate in the country’s political elections , helping to foster the final integration that was needed.

Italian-Argentinians: as Argentinian as they are Italian

Migration between the two countries is a phenomenon that continues to this day . Due to crises in both countries, many people of Italian descent in Argentina have managed to settle in Italy, and, in turn, many Italian citizens with ties to Argentina have migrated to various cities within the country, creating a new and very modern wave of migration.

By 2017, figures indicated that an average of approximately one thousand Italians were settling again in Argentina each year, both in the capital ( Buenos Aires ) and in its different provinces.

Tutto Ok, your Italian citizenship manager

As you can see, this important and vital part of the social history of Argentina and its population allows for a simpler process to take that big step of obtaining your Italian citizenship.

If that’s your goal, Tutto Ok will guide you through every step you need to take to achieve it and embark on your travel adventure and start a new chapter in Italy safely and completely legally . Contact us and we’ll be happy to help!