Czech and Polish Migration in Chicago: A Land of Hope, A Land of Despair?

Mgr. Lucie Duzbabová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The thesis deals with the theme of European immigration to the United States. It focuses in particular on the Czech and Polish immigrants in Chicago at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries; the time of the greatest influx of these migrant groups and immigrants generally to the United States. It compares the two groups, their motives for coming, their ways of assimilation and adaptation to the American environment. The history of immigration of both groups to the United States is outlined at the beginning. The thesis then focuses on the motives and reasons for immigration together with the expectations of immigrants before entering the new country. It also explores the experience of each group in the new environment after their arrival, especially the ways immigrants from both groups tried to make their living in the new country; it compares their attitude towards religion, education or politics as well as the way they spent their free time. It also deals with the immigration restriction and the way in which Polish and Czech immigrants contributed to American life and culture.

Keywords

Chicago, immigration, immigrants, assimilation, Poles, Czechs, Old World, New World, return migration, immigration restriction.

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 28. 5. 2008

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 4. 6. 2008
• Supervisor: B.A. Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Bachelor programme / field:
Philology / English Language and Literature