Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Sunday, 06 May 2001 17:00
In their journey to the American West Poles were following Germans who settled in this area in 1840-es.Both groups came from the same reasons, to improve the economical situation and also to gain a political freedom from Prussian dictatorship.
The history of German colonization is also very interesting. Here it is described briefly:
Read more: Early History of the German and Polish Settlements in Texas
Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Sunday, 06 May 2001 17:00
Not too many people know that the first Poles arrived in Jamestown, America in 1608. They were skilled workers hired by London Company. Poles created glass house shop as well as pitch and potash burners. Since these were the first products produced successfully for import more Poles were invited to Jamestown. Check the next article about Three Waves of Massive Polish Immigration.
Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Monday, 30 April 2001 17:00
The first wave of immigrants, arriving mainly from the late 1800s up to the WW I, were considered "za chlebem" (means "for bread") immigrants. They came to America mainly from economical but also political and religious reasons. Many immigrants were illiterate and unskilled laborers in their own country. The majority came from South and Southeastern part of Poland (Carpathian and Tatra Mountains, Krakow and Rzeszow area). These areas were very poor and overpopulated until the beginnings of XX century when tourism industry started developing. This first and large group of immigrants is difficult to account for since they came from Poland when Poland did not exist as a separate country but was partitioned between Prussia, Russia and Austria. So they were registered as citizens of these countries rather than Poland.
Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Sunday, 29 April 2001 17:00
Leon Czolgosz was born in Detroit, Michigan from Polish-Russian immigrants in 1873. He had seven sisters and brothers. His family was moving very often from place to place where the jobs were located.
Leon started working as a teenager. He was employed in the American Steel and Wire Company. He was a good worker so he retained the job even during the economic crisis. His salary was quite decent for some time, 4 dollars per hour. Unfortunately the mill cut wages and the workers went on strike and were simply fired.
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