A different perspective and an overlooked source on migratory routes from Italy to South America: microcosms of men and women and economic macrocosms (1885-1915)

The article analyzes aspects of social history during the migratory flows between Italy and South America between the late nineteenth and the early twentieth centu-ry, drawing in particular on newly disclosed archival records. Contrary to research about the transatlantic mass exodus from other countries at the turn of the twenti-eth century, the travel experience has rarely and only recently received scholarly at-tention in studies about Italian migration. The aim of this new study perspective is to understand the complexities of individuals, interests and cultures, which, with different roles and a clear power hierarchy, determined the characteristics and man-agement of the routes. The analysis of the logbooks contributes to shedding light on the role of industrial capitalism in the ship-owning industry and to gathering information about the conditions of the journey, the routes and level of profession-alism of the crews, including everyday aspects such as life on board, how stowa-ways were handled and the health and hygiene conditions of passengers and crew members.