Eastern European Eastern European ImmigrationImmigration

Why They came to AmericaWhy They came to America

General HistoryGeneral History

• Immigration during the early 1900s Immigration during the early 1900s occurred due to the industrial occurred due to the industrial revolution that had swept across revolution that had swept across Europe during the previous century.Europe during the previous century.

• People also came to America for People also came to America for political and economic reasons, but political and economic reasons, but less so during the very early 1900s. less so during the very early 1900s.

Countries in Eastern EuropeCountries in Eastern Europe

• The borders of the The borders of the Eastern European Eastern European countries changed a countries changed a lot during the first half lot during the first half of the 20of the 20thth century. century.

• The main countries The main countries considered part of considered part of Eastern Europe:Eastern Europe:

• PolandPoland

• RussiaRussia

Poland’s First Wave of Poland’s First Wave of ImmigrationImmigration

• The first wave of The first wave of immigrants came to immigrants came to America from the America from the 1800s up to WWI 1800s up to WWI mainly for economic mainly for economic reasons, but also reasons, but also political and religious. political and religious.

• They immigrated from They immigrated from Krakow, Rzeszow, and Krakow, Rzeszow, and the Carpathian and the Carpathian and Tatra mountains.Tatra mountains.

• Many Poles intended to Many Poles intended to return once they made return once they made moneymoney

• Very few Jewish Poles Very few Jewish Poles intended to return to intended to return to Poland because of the Poland because of the oppression they faced oppression they faced as Jews in Poland. as Jews in Poland.

• The First wave became The First wave became part of the working part of the working class in America, taking class in America, taking poor paying jobs. poor paying jobs.

Poland’s Second Wave of Poland’s Second Wave of ImmigrationImmigration

• The second wave came to America The second wave came to America following WWII.following WWII.

• The war wrecked the country The war wrecked the country economically, politically and population economically, politically and population wise.wise.

• 6 million of Poland’s 35 million population 6 million of Poland’s 35 million population were killed during the war. were killed during the war.

• Poland was liberated by Soviet’s and as a Poland was liberated by Soviet’s and as a result became Communist. result became Communist.

Second Wave ContinuedSecond Wave Continued

• Immigrants were mainly political Immigrants were mainly political prisoners and refugees who were prisoners and refugees who were intellectual and skilled workers. intellectual and skilled workers.

• In America, these refugees who were In America, these refugees who were educated, separated themselves educated, separated themselves from Polish communities and from Polish communities and assimilated themselves into middle assimilated themselves into middle class American professional groups.class American professional groups.

Poland’s Third Wave of Poland’s Third Wave of ImmigrationImmigration

• This wave started in December of 1981 after This wave started in December of 1981 after martial law was imposed on the country. martial law was imposed on the country.

• Some of these immigrants did so through a visa Some of these immigrants did so through a visa lotterylottery

• Some of these immigrants were well educated Some of these immigrants were well educated and highly skilled.and highly skilled.

• Many of the educated ones became professors at Many of the educated ones became professors at universities. universities.

• The poorer ones who immigrated, still live for the The poorer ones who immigrated, still live for the most part in low income settlements in Polish most part in low income settlements in Polish quarters. quarters.

Where they SettledWhere they Settled

• In all three of the waves of In all three of the waves of immigrations, Poles stuck together in immigrations, Poles stuck together in urban cities, mainly New York, urban cities, mainly New York, Chicago and Detroit. Chicago and Detroit.

• Illegal Poles relied on Polish contacts Illegal Poles relied on Polish contacts for jobs. for jobs.

Immigration by the Immigration by the NumbersNumbers

• Illegal Polish immigrants are Illegal Polish immigrants are currently in the 70,000s and ranks currently in the 70,000s and ranks 1010thth in the US making obtaining a in the US making obtaining a visa difficultvisa difficult

Contributions to AmericaContributions to America

- Lived in Latvia Lived in Latvia

- In 1967, joined Kirov BalletIn 1967, joined Kirov Ballet

- Left Soviet Union in 1974 to gain Left Soviet Union in 1974 to gain personal and artistic freedompersonal and artistic freedom

Mikail Baryshnikov

• Made debut with American Ballet Made debut with American Ballet Theater in 1974Theater in 1974

• Helped influence male dancingHelped influence male dancing

• Head dancer and artistic directorHead dancer and artistic director

• In 1990, found White Oak Project In 1990, found White Oak Project with Mark Morris- Mixed Russian with Mark Morris- Mixed Russian Ballet into American Modern DanceBallet into American Modern Dance

Elie WieselElie Wiesel

• Born in Romania in Born in Romania in 19281928

• During WWII, he During WWII, he was deported to a was deported to a German German concentration concentration campcamp

• Freed by allies in Freed by allies in 19451945

• Became a citizen of the US in 1963Became a citizen of the US in 1963

• He was a professor of humanities at He was a professor of humanities at Boston University in 1976Boston University in 1976

• He wrote Night- describes a father He wrote Night- describes a father and son being deported to and son being deported to Auschewitz and what the terrible Auschewitz and what the terrible conditions they endured. conditions they endured.

• From 1980 to 1986, he was the From 1980 to 1986, he was the chairman of US Presidents chairman of US Presidents Commission of HolocaustCommission of Holocaust

• Established Elie Wiesel Foundation Established Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity in 1987for Humanity in 1987

• Currently a Judaic Studies professor Currently a Judaic Studies professor at City College in New York City. at City College in New York City.

Madeline AlbrightMadeline Albright

• Born in Prague in Born in Prague in 19371937

• Went to the United Went to the United States in 1948 States in 1948 when she was 11when she was 11

• Went with family to Went with family to seek political seek political asylumasylum

• Legislative Liaison for National Legislative Liaison for National Security Council Security Council

• Developed programs to help women Developed programs to help women in international affairs in international affairs

• In 1989, President of Center for In 1989, President of Center for National PolicyNational Policy

• She was Secretary of State during She was Secretary of State during the Clinton Administrationthe Clinton Administration

Hyman G. RickoverHyman G. Rickover

• Born in Poland in Born in Poland in 19001900

• Graduated from Graduated from Naval Academy in Naval Academy in 19221922

• Submarine training Submarine training in 1930in 1930

• Major impact on WWII – head of the Major impact on WWII – head of the Electrical Section in the Bureau of Electrical Section in the Bureau of Ships for the US.Ships for the US.

• Received a Legion a merit for the Received a Legion a merit for the accomplishmentaccomplishment

• Had training in nuclear powerHad training in nuclear power• Director of naval reactors branch in Director of naval reactors branch in

the Bureau of Shipsthe Bureau of Ships

• Developed world’s first nuclear Developed world’s first nuclear powered submarinepowered submarine

• Called USS NautilusCalled USS Nautilus

• Served for 64 years in the US NavyServed for 64 years in the US Navy

Samuel Goldwyn Samuel Goldwyn

• Born in Warsaw Born in Warsaw Poland in 1879Poland in 1879

• Lived a life of Lived a life of povertypoverty

• Went to New York Went to New York where he worked in where he worked in a glove companya glove company

• He and his brother- in- law formed He and his brother- in- law formed the Jesse Lasky Feature Photoplay the Jesse Lasky Feature Photoplay CompanyCompany

• First film he helped produce was First film he helped produce was called Squaw Man in 1914called Squaw Man in 1914

• Helped found Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Helped found Metro Goldwyn Mayer, a major motion picture company a major motion picture company which is still in existence todaywhich is still in existence today

Igor StravinskyIgor Stravinsky

• Born June 17, 1882, Born June 17, 1882, Oranienbaum, near Oranienbaum, near St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, RussiaRussia

• Died April 6, 1971, Died April 6, 1971, New York City New York City

• Composed music for Composed music for Operas, Ballets, Operas, Ballets, Piano, Violin, Piano, Violin, Chamber OrchestrasChamber Orchestras

Igor Stravinsky Igor Stravinsky

• Petrushka (1911)Petrushka (1911)

Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer

• Born in Mako, Born in Mako, Hungary on April Hungary on April 10, 1847 10, 1847

• Died October 29, Died October 29, 1911 of heart 1911 of heart diseasedisease

• Came to America in Came to America in 1864 and settled in 1864 and settled in St. Louis MissouriSt. Louis Missouri

Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer

• Pioneer of present day newspapersPioneer of present day newspapers– Bought the St. Louis Post in 1872Bought the St. Louis Post in 1872– Bought the St. Louis Dispatch in 1878Bought the St. Louis Dispatch in 1878– Bought the New York World in 1883Bought the New York World in 1883

Felix FrankfuterFelix Frankfuter

• Born Born in Vienna, in Vienna, Austria, on 15th Austria, on 15th November, 1882November, 1882

• Emigrated to New Emigrated to New York City in 1894York City in 1894

• Died in Died in Washington Washington on 22nd February, on 22nd February, 1965. 1965.

Selman WaksmanSelman Waksman

• Born in Priluka, Born in Priluka, near Kiev, Russia, near Kiev, Russia, on July 22nd, 1888on July 22nd, 1888

• Emigrated to the Emigrated to the United States in United States in 19101910

• Graduated from Graduated from Rutgers University Rutgers University in 1915in 1915

                                           

Selman WaksmanSelman Waksman

• in 1952 he was voted as one of the most in 1952 he was voted as one of the most outstanding 100 people in the world todayoutstanding 100 people in the world today

• Holds honorary doctor's degrees in Holds honorary doctor's degrees in medicine, science, agriculture, law or medicine, science, agriculture, law or letters from the Universities of Liege, letters from the Universities of Liege, Athen, Pavia, Madrid, Strasbourg, Athen, Pavia, Madrid, Strasbourg, Jerusalem, Göttingen, Perugia, Keio (Japan) Jerusalem, Göttingen, Perugia, Keio (Japan) and several American universities and and several American universities and colleges.colleges.

Polish CulturePolish Culture

• Poles found what it meant to be Poles found what it meant to be Polish in the U.S. Polish in the U.S.

• In their own country there is no real In their own country there is no real sense of nationalism because the sense of nationalism because the country was always split between country was always split between other countries. other countries.

• Only recently Poles gained a country Only recently Poles gained a country of their own.of their own.

Polish HolidaysPolish Holidays

• Pulaski DayPulaski Day is a holiday that celebrates two is a holiday that celebrates two noblemen named noblemen named Tadeusz KosciuszkoTadeusz Kosciuszko (1746-1817) and (1746-1817) and Casimir PulaskiCasimir Pulaski (1747- (1747-1779). They both fought for the rebels in 1779). They both fought for the rebels in the Revolutionary War. Pulaski was killed in the Revolutionary War. Pulaski was killed in the battle of Savannah, is still honored by the battle of Savannah, is still honored by Polish Americans and each year they Polish Americans and each year they celebrate by annual marches on October celebrate by annual marches on October 11. President Harry Truman decreed it an 11. President Harry Truman decreed it an official remembrance day in 1946. official remembrance day in 1946.

Pulaski Day Pulaski Day PicturesPictures

Religious CultureReligious Culture

• The main religion of Poland is Roman Catholic. The The main religion of Poland is Roman Catholic. The Catholic Church of Poland was seen as a way to Catholic Church of Poland was seen as a way to hold their cultural values together. Catholic Church hold their cultural values together. Catholic Church was seen as a rock for peasants to depend upon. was seen as a rock for peasants to depend upon. The priests were seen as leaders for the peasants. The priests were seen as leaders for the peasants.

• The church in American communities is seen as a The church in American communities is seen as a central institution for communities in American central institution for communities in American cities. Polish Americans took church politics cities. Polish Americans took church politics seriously. seriously.

• They built many institutions and they provided They built many institutions and they provided religious, educational, recreational, and cultural- religious, educational, recreational, and cultural- without recourse to host the host society. without recourse to host the host society.

• Most Polish immigrants built these communities Most Polish immigrants built these communities that were like their own world. that were like their own world.

National DressNational Dress

• The national dress for men consists of a headdress The national dress for men consists of a headdress like felt or straw hats or caps. like felt or straw hats or caps.

• Trousers are often white with red stripes, tucked Trousers are often white with red stripes, tucked into boots or worn with mountaineering moccasins into boots or worn with mountaineering moccasins typical to the Carpathians. typical to the Carpathians.

• Vests or jackets caver the white shirts, and the Vests or jackets caver the white shirts, and the favorite colors of red and white replicate the flag. favorite colors of red and white replicate the flag.

• The women wear a combination of a blouse and The women wear a combination of a blouse and petticoat covered by a full, brightly colored or petticoat covered by a full, brightly colored or embroidered skirt, an apron, and a jacket or bodice, embroidered skirt, an apron, and a jacket or bodice, also gaily decorated. Their headdress ranges from a also gaily decorated. Their headdress ranges from a simple kerchief to more elaborate affairs made of simple kerchief to more elaborate affairs made of feathers, flowers, beads, and ribbons decorating feathers, flowers, beads, and ribbons decorating stiffened linen. stiffened linen.

• Polish is a west Slavic language, part of Polish is a west Slavic language, part of the Lekhite subgroup, and is similar to the Lekhite subgroup, and is similar to Czech and Slovak. Czech and Slovak.

• Modern Polish, written in the Roman Modern Polish, written in the Roman Alphabet, stems from the sixteenth Alphabet, stems from the sixteenth century. century.

• Its vocabulary is in part borrowed from Its vocabulary is in part borrowed from Latin, German, Czech, Ukrainian, Latin, German, Czech, Ukrainian, Belarusan, and English. Belarusan, and English.

• Dialects include Great Polish, Pomeranian, Dialects include Great Polish, Pomeranian, Silesian and Mazovian. Spelling is phonetic Silesian and Mazovian. Spelling is phonetic with every letter pronounced. Consonants with every letter pronounced. Consonants in particular have different pronunciation in particular have different pronunciation than in English.than in English.

ArtArt• Poland has a long history of art, especially in the Poland has a long history of art, especially in the

1940s’ when communism was taking root in 1940s’ when communism was taking root in Poland. Poland.

• Art became a release for many people, but had to Art became a release for many people, but had to be kept secret because artistic freedom was not be kept secret because artistic freedom was not approved by the government. But Krakow was like approved by the government. But Krakow was like an island in Poland where artists and literature an island in Poland where artists and literature thrived. thrived.

• There were artists, however like Zbigniew Herbert There were artists, however like Zbigniew Herbert (1924-1998), a legendary Polish poet, essayist and (1924-1998), a legendary Polish poet, essayist and moralist who fought for Polish rights and equality. moralist who fought for Polish rights and equality. Stanislaw Lem is another famous Polish science Stanislaw Lem is another famous Polish science fiction writer known for his satire, humor, and fiction writer known for his satire, humor, and frequently irreverent reflections of society.frequently irreverent reflections of society.

• There were also great music composers like There were also great music composers like Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819-1872) was, apart from Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819-1872) was, apart from Chopin, the most outstanding composer of 19th Chopin, the most outstanding composer of 19th century Polish music.century Polish music.

Reasons for ImmigratingReasons for Immigrating

• Ownership of land is what drove Ownership of land is what drove Poles to the U.S. Poles to the U.S.

• To Polish people land was considered To Polish people land was considered a form of wealth. a form of wealth.

• Most of the polish population were Most of the polish population were peasants and didn’t have land. peasants and didn’t have land.

Traditions in the USTraditions in the US

• Most Polish people were working in industrial jobs and Most Polish people were working in industrial jobs and only 10% saw the dream of owning land. only 10% saw the dream of owning land.

• Poles were moving up the economic status ladder Poles were moving up the economic status ladder slowly by slowly, but most are blue collar workers. slowly by slowly, but most are blue collar workers.

• They believe that education is the way of the future, They believe that education is the way of the future, but in the past they were against education till the but in the past they were against education till the 1960’s. 1960’s.

• They have the traditions holding strong because of They have the traditions holding strong because of their communities revolving around the Polish their communities revolving around the Polish Christian Orthodox Church. The only hope to keep the Christian Orthodox Church. The only hope to keep the culture vibrant in the U.S. is for new Polish immigrants culture vibrant in the U.S. is for new Polish immigrants to arrive and keep their culture vibrant and alive in to arrive and keep their culture vibrant and alive in America.America.

Polish JobsPolish Jobs

• Since most immigrants from Poland were Since most immigrants from Poland were peasants and had a few skills most worked peasants and had a few skills most worked in the industrial society, but they were in the industrial society, but they were strong and knew how to work hard. They strong and knew how to work hard. They offered labor in steel mills, stockyards, offered labor in steel mills, stockyards, mines, tanneries, or other heavy industries mines, tanneries, or other heavy industries where machines had reduced technology to where machines had reduced technology to do most simple tasks requiring brute do most simple tasks requiring brute strength. They worked at factories because strength. They worked at factories because they planned to head back to Poland to buy they planned to head back to Poland to buy land.land.

• Polish is a west Slavic language, part of Polish is a west Slavic language, part of the Lekhite subgroup, and is similar to the Lekhite subgroup, and is similar to Czech and Slovak. Czech and Slovak.

• Modern Polish, written in the Roman Modern Polish, written in the Roman Alphabet, stems from the sixteenth Alphabet, stems from the sixteenth century. century.

• Its vocabulary is in part borrowed from Its vocabulary is in part borrowed from Latin, German, Czech, Ukrainian, Latin, German, Czech, Ukrainian, Belarusan, and English. Belarusan, and English.

• Dialects include Great Polish, Pomeranian, Dialects include Great Polish, Pomeranian, Silesian and Mazovian. Spelling is phonetic Silesian and Mazovian. Spelling is phonetic with every letter pronounced. Consonants with every letter pronounced. Consonants in particular have different pronunciation in particular have different pronunciation than in English.than in English.

ArtArt• Poland has a long history of art, especially in the Poland has a long history of art, especially in the

1940s’ when communism was taking root in 1940s’ when communism was taking root in Poland. Poland.

• Art became a release for many people, but had to Art became a release for many people, but had to be kept secret because artistic freedom was not be kept secret because artistic freedom was not approved by the government. But Krakow was like approved by the government. But Krakow was like an island in Poland where artists and literature an island in Poland where artists and literature thrived. thrived.

• There were artists, however like Zbigniew Herbert There were artists, however like Zbigniew Herbert (1924-1998), a legendary Polish poet, essayist and (1924-1998), a legendary Polish poet, essayist and moralist who fought for Polish rights and equality. moralist who fought for Polish rights and equality. Stanislaw Lem is another famous Polish science Stanislaw Lem is another famous Polish science fiction writer known for his satire, humor, and fiction writer known for his satire, humor, and frequently irreverent reflections of society.frequently irreverent reflections of society.

• There were also great music composers like There were also great music composers like Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819-1872) was, apart from Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819-1872) was, apart from Chopin, the most outstanding composer of 19th Chopin, the most outstanding composer of 19th century Polish music.century Polish music.

Reasons for ImmigratingReasons for Immigrating

• Ownership of land is what drove Poles to the Ownership of land is what drove Poles to the U.S. U.S.

• To Polish people land was considered a form To Polish people land was considered a form of wealth. of wealth.

• Most of the polish population were peasants Most of the polish population were peasants and didn’t have land. They have a strong and didn’t have land. They have a strong belief in good vs. evil and that resulted in belief in good vs. evil and that resulted in the belief in the devil, witches, the evil eye, the belief in the devil, witches, the evil eye, bees building a hive in ones house, the bees building a hive in ones house, the house will catch fire, and goats were seen house will catch fire, and goats were seen as lucky. Wolves, crows, and pigeons were as lucky. Wolves, crows, and pigeons were seen as unlucky seen as unlucky

Traditions in the USTraditions in the US

• Most Polish people were working in industrial jobs and Most Polish people were working in industrial jobs and only 10% saw the dream of owning land. only 10% saw the dream of owning land.

• Poles were moving up the economic status ladder Poles were moving up the economic status ladder slowly by slowly, but most are blue collar workers. slowly by slowly, but most are blue collar workers.

• They believe that education is the way of the future, They believe that education is the way of the future, but in the past they were against education till the but in the past they were against education till the 1960’s. 1960’s.

• They have the traditions holding strong because of They have the traditions holding strong because of their communities revolving around the Polish their communities revolving around the Polish Christian Orthodox Church. The only hope to keep the Christian Orthodox Church. The only hope to keep the culture vibrant in the U.S. is for new Polish immigrants culture vibrant in the U.S. is for new Polish immigrants to arrive and keep their culture vibrant and alive in to arrive and keep their culture vibrant and alive in America.America.

Polish JobsPolish Jobs

• Since most immigrants from Poland were Since most immigrants from Poland were peasants and had a few skills most worked peasants and had a few skills most worked in the industrial society, but they were in the industrial society, but they were strong and knew how to work hard. They strong and knew how to work hard. They offered labor in steel mills, stockyards, offered labor in steel mills, stockyards, mines, tanneries, or other heavy industries mines, tanneries, or other heavy industries where machines had reduced technology to where machines had reduced technology to do most simple tasks requiring brute do most simple tasks requiring brute strength. They worked at factories because strength. They worked at factories because they planned to head back to Poland to buy they planned to head back to Poland to buy land.land.

Facts by the NumbersFacts by the Numbers

• In 1969 sixteen percent attended college, In 1969 sixteen percent attended college, 45% of males had white collar jobs. About 45% of males had white collar jobs. About 25% were skilled workers and 30% were 25% were skilled workers and 30% were semi skilled or unskilled workers In 1980 the semi skilled or unskilled workers In 1980 the total changed to 23.9% for polish people total changed to 23.9% for polish people who had four years of college. At the same who had four years of college. At the same time 16.2-17.1% of the total population of time 16.2-17.1% of the total population of whites made it to college for four years. At whites made it to college for four years. At this time 23.5 percent of Poles in U.S. were this time 23.5 percent of Poles in U.S. were in the managerial or professional in the managerial or professional categories. About 31.8% are in technical categories. About 31.8% are in technical and administrative positions. Only 18% and administrative positions. Only 18% were operators, labricators, or laborers.were operators, labricators, or laborers.

Assimilation into AmericaAssimilation into America

• The first generation Polish Americans were The first generation Polish Americans were likely to send their sons to work in the likely to send their sons to work in the mills at a very young age in order to pay mills at a very young age in order to pay the bills. the bills.

• The second generation had leaned toward The second generation had leaned toward more ambitious attitudes toward work and more ambitious attitudes toward work and education. education.

• Also the vast culture of the U.S. was Also the vast culture of the U.S. was mainly Protestant and the Polish mainly Protestant and the Polish immigrants were use to the Polish Roman immigrants were use to the Polish Roman Catholic ways. Their Church was different Catholic ways. Their Church was different because of mysticism involved in it. because of mysticism involved in it.

• The Polish immigrants’ believe in the The Polish immigrants’ believe in the Polish Roman Catholic Church. They Polish Roman Catholic Church. They made their community revolve around made their community revolve around the church in order not to lose their the church in order not to lose their cultural ties to their homeland. They cultural ties to their homeland. They still celebrate their holidays the way still celebrate their holidays the way they would in their old country. They they would in their old country. They also held on to their roots of Polish also held on to their roots of Polish folklore and national roots of their folklore and national roots of their former homeland. former homeland.