The Polish/Russian Immigrants

1.a.) In Russia, during the 19th century, there was an immense increase in the population and diversity as the result of conquered nations. The reasons for the immigration of the people living in Russia was because the individuals that were conquered clung to their own identity and did not want to accept the idea of them being Russians. Other reasons were that there was an overpopulation, widespread famines and political unrest. During the 1880s Russians started to immigrate to the U.S due to land shortages, poverty and starvation.

b.) During the U.S Revolutionary War, Polish immigrants started coming in to the country during the Battle of Independence from Britain. During the 19th century, there was a division of 3 imperial powers that drove the nation appart. The reasoning for Pole immigration was that there were political barriers. The Polish were free to perform their own religious practices but it was difficult to maintain an identity in a hostile environment. During the 20th century, imperial repression, land shortages and chronic unemployment


2.a.) Before a flow of immigrants started to settle in the United States, Russian explorers had already started to explore Alaska in the 18th Century. However, when the immigrations started many Russians ended up in Ellis Island while others, because of the Homestead Act, many moved to California and Oregon in 1910.

b.) Polish immigrants' first permanent settlement in 1854 was on the Texas plains and it was called the Panna Maria. The Poles were people that respected the property of others and viewed owning property with highly importance, therefore, immigrants settled in the Great Lakes Region, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.


3. a.)Even after the end of World War II, more refugees started leaving Europe to the United States, but there was a rise in tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States. The development of the Homestead Act allowed for Russians to find work and own property in California.

b.) The Second World War and the Cold War caused much destruction in Poland in which people lost their homes, therefore, Polish Americans opened their homes to anyone who was able to escape.

4. a.) In 1917, as the imperial government was overturned by socialist revolutionaries called Bolsheviks led to a civil war and it caused 2 million Russians to flee and 30,000 made it to the United States. Some of the class of immigrants that fled were artists, professionals, and business men also known as White Russians. As much as they were welcomed by the U.S government, they were not welcomed the the Russian American community that was already living in the United States.



5. a.) During the year 1919 and 1920, Russian immigrants were deported without a formal trial because they were being singled out as danger. After the Russian Revolution, the U.S began to gear communist revolution in the country and it was known as the Red Scare. And due to fear of persecution,  many Russians became Protestant, changed their names and gave up their customs.

6 a.) When Russian immigration increased during the late 19th century, the only available jobs were in the growing industries that did not pay much such as mines, mills and sweatshops. Russians constantly were in the search of property and the hopes to owning their own land. Many once arriving to the United States were already in need of money because one of the reasons for immigration to America was the rise in poverty in Russia.

b.) Poles were drawn to factories, steel mills, slaughter houses and foundries as being the only available jobs for them.

7a.) Due to the extreme diversity in Russia by the conquered nations, every culture hung on to their own identity which led to the immigration of Russians and it was difficult for them to take on the identity as Russians. Russians felt more secure forming small communities upon their arrival to the United States. The Duckhobors and Molokans from Russia were sects that within their small communities still kept their traditional music and practices.

b.) Even though the Poles were free to be Roman Catholics in a nation conquered by an imperial power, they still felt that they remained in a hostile identity. Even as they remained in America, the Polish guarded their language, faith and heritage. They built communities to specifically preserve their national heritage. Inclusive, the Poles started releasing newspapers in their language, forming social clubs, radio and T.V stations and built more than 900 Parochial schools. The Poles also made sure to preserve music, dance, literature and folklore.



Primary Sources:

Immigration Map:  http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3201e.ct000242/
1917 Immigration Act: http://library.uwb.edu/guides/usimmigration/1917_immigration_act.html