At the end of the nineteenth century, many Italians left Italy in search of the prospect of a better life. To be more precise "13 million persons left Italy, mainly to the New World" between 1871 and 1920. Their departure was due to many socio-economic problems that were present in Italy during this period. These included a high percentage of unemployment, especially amongst the peasantry in the south of the country, as well as issues concerning high taxation and low wages. For many centuries, the Italian peninsula was divided over the feudal system, which in turn controlled the economic system. The system allowed hereditary land possession to determine political power and social status. This sole fact resulted in many Italians having no opportunity to improve their situation, and more often than not people in the south suffered the majority of this hardship. With little change in the socio-economic problems as well as rising demographic issues, the end of nineteenth century was a period that experienced mass emigration, mainly to the United States.
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Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Italy was suffering from widespread demographic problems. A third of the population was under the age of 15 due to high birth rates, and a quarter of children born died before their first birthday. This led to a relatively low life expectancy and a youthful nation. This resulted in more people competing for manual jobs especially in the agricultural industry. In the 1870s 60% of the population depended on agriculture as a source of income. Many of these people lived in appalling conditions and had a poor quality of life. "Most of the peasants were crushed by poverty and their burden of work." There was a lack of hope and very little incentive amongst the peasantry. This negative outlook on life in understandable, especially when considering that 75% of peasants wages were spent on food, clothing and shelter.
