Greek Immigration To America Research Paper

“Pure American. No Rats. No Greeks” “We have not come to destroy, but to build.” (Meltzer) Dr. Chris Petrolas, President of the Greek Community of Chicago said this while addressing the subject of Greek Immigrants being persecuted in America. Greeks were forced to leave because of war, and an extreme economic crisis. Some also came to escape the Greek Orthodox Church’s laws. In this paper I will discuss Greek immigrant’s background, their experience of immigrating, and their experience in America. Greeks had a positive and negative experience immigrating to America, because they were eventually successful, but faced segregation and were treated poorly. Can you imagine not feeling safe in your own homeland? Most Greeks were forced to leave due to war and poverty. A large amount of immigrants left during the Greek War of Independence, and the immense economic crisis that followed. Some also left because they didn’t agree with the Greek Orthodox Church’s laws. The Greek Orthodox Church was a huge part of Greek culture, because it was their own branch of religion. Nearly everyone was proud of their heritage and continued to practice their country’s religion in …show more content…
Through the war and poverty, America seemed to be the solution. Most Greeks came to America seeking a better life and economic opportunity and escaping war and poverty. Many, like Theodor Spako were told they would have a much better life in America. He emigrated to America and shared a small space with 2 other men on the bus. He says that he had to save money to bring, because they wouldn’t let you in America if you didn’t, thinking that you would steal if you were poor. (Spako) Another Greek immigrant even said “If you can’t pay, you stay in Greece a lifetime”. (Karavolas) However, if you had money and were healthy, then you would have a relatively easy time in Ellis Island as a Greek