Final answer:
Italian immigrants in America initially struggled with establishing a national social identity because of deep-rooted regional identities and widespread discrimination. However, shared adversities and time led to a more unified Italian-American identity, which continued to evolve, especially after their contributions during WWII.
Step-by-step explanation:
Italian immigrants initially failed to establish a national social identity in America due to the discrimination and prejudice they faced, which in turn fostered regional divides rather than a unified Italian identity. Early Italian immigrants identified with their local regions from Italy and brought with them Old World animosities, making it challenging to establish a cohesive Italian-American identity. However, with the shared experiences of discrimination and the necessity to work alongside each other, especially in construction and earthmoving jobs, these regional distinctions began to blur, leading to a more unified Italian-American identity. Over time, and particularly following WWII and their significant contributions to the war effort, Italian-Americans were able to assimilate further and gain acceptance within American society, although remnants of their cultural heritage remained evident in traditions and neighborhoods such as Little Italy.