ZajednicÌŒar = Fraternalist. [volume] (Allegheny, Pa.) 1894-current, 1956-09-12
"ZAJEDNrCAR"
Croatian immigration
To oANeeheny County
BY sTJEPAN GAZI, Member, Lodge 20
CONCLUSION


had flowed into the United States until 1914, when the
declaration of World War had put stop to it. In the
of thirty two years. they had been coming to Allie
gheny County search of work and An insignificant
part of them returned Croatia and the others adopted
America finally as their country. Their choice not
voluntary Circumstances, stronger than their own
desires imposed this solution them. Originally, they
been determined to stay only until they had improved
their financial status
For this reason, many immigrants made no real eff
fort to adapt themselves to the American way of life
They hardly learned English and did not apply for ct
zenshp they able to do so. mere 268ao
of all Croats the United States had been naturazed
before World War l. 1880 of them could prove esab
shment for five years more being thus eligible for
citizenship.
Relations between Croats and Americans remained
on strictly economic basis. The first in need of
Americas working possibilities and the latter found them
selves constantly want of fresh labor forces for their
industries They shared therefore interests
outside those of employer and worker.
American authorities ignored the living conditions of
the immigrants and contributed nothing to speed their
ntegration into American society," Little by little, immi
grant groups tried to organize life in the country
with their modest Ignored neglected and
plotted they had to start in the sums But the slums
from immigrants point of vew rather condition
than institution, hurdle to be passed their way
into American Society.
The process of integration was long and tedious,
determined by influences which did not meet with their
desires The Croatia delayed from year to
year the economic crisis and other events World War
barred the way completely, and the post situation
in Europe viewed politically well economically made
their choice final Many of them had served in the
United States Army during the war; thus becoming
of patriotic spirit for the American Nation.
During the long period of immigration, the Croats
possessed proper leadership of their Of
course, personalities emerged from the ranks, due
their social professional positions to the part
of leader But of them endowed with the spir
tual and moral apudes to facilitate the adaptation of
their compatriots to the surroundings Every mi
grant had to accomplish this individually 1t became
after World War l. when nearly all Croats of Allie
gheny County obtained American citizenship.
However, only the second generation, born and edu-
Gated America felt themselves to be true Americans
Estranged from their kin in Europe and yet of
themselves in the American society," they represent this
marginal par excellence, quoting Samuel Koenig.'
The and struggles the hopes and deceptions
of the first and the hesitaons of the second generation
left scarcely any marks the present third which, by
its education standards and ambitions be
considered Croatan at all neither by authorities by
themselves Having, in cases. changed their names
for convenience they now Americans and nothing
else, justifying thus the aims of immigration.
Palmer choice, Harper
1922 sBrown, Rou
eek, One America Second and third generation, 476