fsu and cetraul uropean.pdf - Central Europeans People of the Former Soviet Union(FSU and Scandinavia Unit 6 Chapter 7 Introduction Some of the earliest

1/27/2014 1 Central Europeans, People of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Scandinavia Unit 6, Chapter 7 Introduction • Some of the earliest and largest ethnic groups to the US • Contributions include – Bread baking – Dairy farming – Meat processing – Beer brewing Central Europeans and the people of the FSU • Central Europe – Germany – Austria – Hungary – Romania – Czech Republic – Slovakia – Poland – Switzerland – Liechtenstein • FSU – Russian Federation – Armenia – Azerbaijan – Belarus – Georgia – Kazakstan – Kyrgyzstan – Moldavia – Tajikistan – Turkmenistan – Ukraine – Uzbekistan – Estonia – Latvia – Lithuania

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1/27/2014 2 History of Central Europeans and Russians in the US - Immigration Patterns: Germans • One of the most significant elements in the US population • Largest ethnic group in US but least visible • Settled early in PA – Amish, Mennonite, other religious minorities • 2 nd group settled in the Midwest • 3 rd group had gone to Russia and then on to US after 1917 Revolution • After the 30s, many were Jewish refugees History of Central Europeans and Russians in the US - Immigration Patterns: Poles • Have been in the US since 1608 • Economic problems increased immigration from 1860 – 1914 • Many became part of German or Czech communities • Many came from German-ruled areas of Poland, Russia or Austria • After WW1 came because of political instability History of Central Europeans and Russians in the US - Immigration Patterns: Others • Austrians – Economic opportunities – Fled Hitler • Hungarians – After 1848 – Males, well-educated, titled – Later were poor, single men – Coal miners in OH, WV, IL, IN • Czechs – Farmers or skilled Ag workers – Settled near the Germans in NE, WI, TX, IA, MN • Slovaks – Young male Ag workers before WWII – Industrial Northeast and Midwest • Swiss – Prior to WWI – Artisans or professional – Urban areas • Gypsies or Roma – Originate from numerous European countries – Variety of different groups – Speak different dialects

1/27/2014 3 History of Central Europeans and Russians in the US - Immigration Patterns: Russia and the FSU • Russian immigrants originally came to Alaska and the West Coast • Fur trade • Sheltered missionaries • After sale of Alaska to the US in 1867, many returned home • After that, immigration was to the East Coast • Mainly impoverished peasants • Jews fleeing persecution History of Central Europeans and Russians in the US - Immigration Patterns: Russia and the FSU • FSU – from Lithuania, Ukraine and Armenia • Many came in 1861, others after WWII • Many escaping religious or ethnic persecution • Some for economic opportunity • Settled in urban and industrial centers Current Demographics and Socioeconomic Status: Germans • WI, MN, ND, SD, NE, IA is the German Belt in the US • Slightly higher in economic achievement • Generally conservative • High degree of acculturation • WWII anti-German sentiment caused rapid assimilation