• Huge scale of Polish immigration to US began in Post-Civil War era and accelerated.
• Almost 35,000 Polish immigrants during 1870-1880; 99,000 during 1880; 236,000 during 1890-1900; 383,407 in 1900
• What made them embark on the journey to America?
• Most were peasants or common laborers.
• Push (expulsive forces): religious oppression was primary factor in the early days
- Bismark decreed that all residents of Prussia, including Prussian Poland, should speak German, government controlled the parochial schools, Jesuit priests were banished which caused a large emigration of priests in 1872
• Social factors
- Resentment grew against three powers - Russia, Prussia and Austria – and caused many to emigrate to America
- Many emigrated to evade
• Almost 35,000 Polish immigrants during 1870-1880; 99,000 during 1880; 236,000 during 1890-1900; 383,407 in 1900
• What made them embark on the journey to America?
• Most were peasants or common laborers.
• Push (expulsive forces): religious oppression was primary factor in the early days
- Bismark decreed that all residents of Prussia, including Prussian Poland, should speak German, government controlled the parochial schools, Jesuit priests were banished which caused a large emigration of priests in 1872
• Social factors
- Resentment grew against three powers - Russia, Prussia and Austria – and caused many to emigrate to America
- Many emigrated to evade