Slavic Immigrationpassport to another life

Alice Paul, Melissa Cotignola, Jenny Bayard, and Rachel

Christensen

As persecution and poverty became issues in the Slavic countries, many began to immigrate to the United

States, seeking jobs and privileges. However, often times their lack of

education and agricultural knowledge left them with unskilled,

low paying jobs and inadequate living. Because of the emphasis on a

better life for their children, they adapted to the American lifestyle but

in the end it became a struggle to assimilate to society while retaining

national identity.

Reasons for EmigrationSlovakia: Came from

rural areas. Left because of high inflation and

unemployment as well as the landlord system.

Russia: Came from European Russia along the

South and West. Famines in agriculture, high taxes, and

poverty were reasons to leave. Mennonites, Old

Velievers, and Molokans left because of religious

persecution

Ukraine: Began in the southwest, which was occupied by Austria. Western Ukraine was

occupied by Russia. Both areas faced persecution

and exploitation.

Czech: A potato crop failure, Catholic persecution, and Austrian political

repression were major reasons for emigration.

Click the Russian for individual

experiences

Poland: Overpopulation, limit of land, price decline on grain, low wages,

high taxes, and political persecution

of Catholics were major reasons for

emigration.

Hi, I’m Rose Gillman. I grew up in Czechoslovakia in a well to do town in a house complete

with electric lighting and plumbing. My mother worked at a bakery as my dad left for America to work. We left when

I was 12 in 1916 to join him after six years.

Hi, I’m Lillian Kaiz. I left my village of Rizghon,

Russia in 1921 because the Cossacks came to my house and beat me

up and killed my grandfather simply

because we were Jewish. The Jewish Pogroms

forced many like me to flee to America.

Expectations When Arriving:

-Poles and Slavs were some of the most

desperate, poor and unskilled of the

immigrants. So they readily sought unskilled jobs. Because of political repression they took their

democratic rights seriously.

-They also valued land ownership and education. -Most of all, they expected

a better life for their children and came to the Land of Opportunity to

realize this dream.-Unfortunately, they lived in Ghettos, faced native prejudice and economic

hardship.

Trends of Immigration-Majority of Slavs emigrated between 1901 and 1920

-Between 1881 and 1914, 3.2 million Russians entered the U.S.-Immigration trickled after Bolshevik Revolution in Russia because

of strict government codes.Johnson-Reed Act of 1927 established immigrant quotas per year

-The quotas for the years 1924-1925 were:671 Yugoslavians

3,073 Czechoslovakians 5,982 Poles

124 Armenians-Following WWII, immigrant refugees were allowed into the country

through the 1948 Displaced Person’s Act and the 1953 Refugee Relief Act.-Immigrants were labeled upon arrival by their state of origin

(I.e. Bulgars, Serbs, Croats).-Many Slavs have come to America since 1980 because of the fall of

communism

My trip lasted two weeks and because I rode second class it was

mostly enjoyable for me. I looked forward to seeing

my father again. I traveled with my sisters, brother, and mother. I packed a few dresses, three pairs of shoes, a

coat, boots, and religious items. Upon arrival we stayed for two days at

Ellis Island.

I was only 8 years old during the voyage and was sea sick the entire time. When we arrived

at Ellis Island, my brother was put in

quarantine. The rest of our family went to

Chicago where we were reunited with my

brother when he got better.

•Settlement:Russians: 50% of immigrants were Jewish, most of which settled in NYC,

California was also popularBulgarians: St. Louis MO, Indianapolis IA, Portland OR (Hence Greek

Orthodox populations)Croatians: Michigan and Mississippi

Poles: New York (especially around Greenpoint, Brooklyn), Chicago, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Cleveland (mainly Catholic)

Slovaks: Indiana, Connecticut, New JerseyYugoslavians: Mississippi Valley especially Illinois

According to 1990 Census there are 2,952,987 Russians in the U.S. and 1,882,897 Slovaks.

Labor:

Then: Slavic Immigrants worked primarily in steel/iron mills, coal

mines, and factories. Russians were tailors, merchants, and laborers.

Bohemians were farmers, agricultural laborers, and tailors.The meatpacking industry and sweatshops in Chicago

primarily employed Poles.

Jewish Slavic immigrants worked as artisans and businessmen.

Because in their homelands, they were restricted by laws that

prohibited them from owning land and farming they had little

experience.

Now: The majority of Slavs hold “white collar jobs”

My father worked selling religious shawls in Chicago, but the profit he expected to earn was far more than what

he could accomplish. My mother later opened a

bakery. Still they managed to have enough money to

spoil me with piano lessons and college tuition.

We settled in Chicago where we lived in a small apartment. My

father worked a variety of jobs to support our

family. He owned a deli, worked a newspaper stand and was a local

policeman. I also worked after I dropped

out of high school.. Times were tough

because of the depression.

Customs that have affected the U.S.:

From Russia- Nesting dolls, Russian ballet, Christmas eggs, and Faberge eggs.From Poland: The Polka

From Ukraine: Easter egg painting

Also, the food (like borsht!) has influenced our cuisine.Slavs also helped influence

the American Vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley (New York

Music Publishing District) with composes like Sophie Tucker and Irving Berlin.

Al Johnson helped influence ragtime and Samuel Goldwyn from Poland, controlled film

industry in the early 20th century.

SOME STEREOTYPES¨      All Russians are communists or were communist spies during WWII.

¨      All Russians are in the Russian Mafia.

¨      All Slavic immigrants are gypsies.

¨      Poles are dirty, disorderly, and drunks.

·        While it is true that it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the move of Polish immigrants toward education took place, many Poles came to the U.S.

to purchase land and make money and thus had a strong work ethic.

·        Because of the large number of immigrants to the U.S. during the early 20th century and their inability to speak English, many Poles were forced to

take jobs in factories, resulting in the view that they were “dirty”.

·        Polish immigrants were also very religious, establishing the Polish National Church in the United States and many continue to worship in it today.

¨      All Jews are “shylocks”.

·        As Jews came to the U.S. they also were captured by the dream of economic freedom and prosperity, as every immigrant was, and thus it may

appear as though their only interest was in gaining money.

·        During the late 19th century, 65% worked in the Dressing and Textile industry, not in banking or as moneylenders.

Famous Slavs!

Madeleine Albright Irving Berlin Al Jolson Sophie Tucker Igor Sikorsky

Former U.S. Composer “The World’s Comedian Aircraft Engineer

Secretary of State “God Bless America”” Greatest Entertainer”

Samuel Goldwyn Natalie Wood Sandra Dee Isaac Stern Lenny Krayzelburg

Paramount Pictures Actress Actress Violinist-”Saved” Olympic Swimmer

Carnegie Hall

Also the man who was killed by a bullet meant for Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the

parents of the man who shot McKinley were Slavic

immigrants.

• Al

Credits

• Alice Paul- where they emigrated from and reasons for leaving

• Rachel Christensen- expectations and trends of immigration

• Melissa Cotignola- where they settled and the jobs• Jenny Bayard- customs, famous people, and

stereotypes• Alice, Rachel, + Melissa- Personal Experiences

Bibliography• Alexander, June G. "Slovaks Abroad and the Diaspora." Slovakia.org. 5 Nov.

2006<http://www.slovakia.org/sk-american.htm>.• Antin, Mary "In Defense of the Immigrant," Annals of American History.

<http://america.eb.com/america/article?articleId=386621&query=In+Defense+of+the+Immigration>. November 7, 2006.

• “Celebrity Immigrants.” American Immigration Law Foundation. 7 Nov. 2006 <http://www.ailf.org/notable/famous.htm> 2002.

• “Distribution of Russian Immigrants in the United States.” Fact On File, Inc. AmericanHistory Online. <www.fofweb.com>

• Gilman, Rose. Interview 1988. Ellis Island Records. <www.EllisIsland.org>.• Kaiz, Lillian. Interview 1989. Ellis Island Records. <www.EllisIsland.org>.• Schauffler, Robert Haven  " “Scum o' the Earth”," Annals of American History. November 7, 2006.

<http://america.eb.com/america/article?articleId=384957&query= Scum+o%27+the+earth>. 2006.• “Peoples, Races, and Ethnicities in the U.S.” 7 Nov. 2006 <http://www.trivia-library.com/peoples-races-ethnicity-

in-the-u.s..htm> 2004.• Powell, John. “Immigrant influence on entertainment.” Encyclopedia of North American Immigration. Facts on

File, Inc., 2005. Facts on File, Inc. American History Online. <www.fofweb.com>.• Powell, John. "Polish immigration." Encyclopedia of North American Immigration. Facts On File, Inc., 2005.

Facts On File, Inc. American History Online. <www.fofweb.com>. • Powell, John. "Russian immigration." Encyclopedia of North American Immigration. Facts On File, Inc., 2005.

Facts On File, Inc. American History Online. <www.fofweb.com>. • “Russian Immigrants.” 7 Nov. 2006 < http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk /USAErussia.htm> N/A.• Shipman, Andrew J. "The Slavs in America." Catholic Encyclopedia. 2003. New Advent.

5 Nov. 2006 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14051a.htm>.• United States. Census Bureau. 1990 Census. 1990. 5 Nov. 2006

<http://www.slavism.com/slavs/usa.htm>.