Becoming Americans

S1 E2: Documentary series. At the turn of the 20th century, over four million Italians immigrate to America to start afresh. Although mistrustful of government institutions, parents send their children to public school to succeed in America. While Italian Americans are forced to worship in the basement of churches controlled by the Irish Archdiocese, they take to the streets to reinforce their culture, while prohibition breeds a new kind of criminal who takes a shortcut to success.