Immigrant Loyalties During the Great War and Today

This is very interesting. It explains why the immigrants of 100 years ago became fiercely patriotic Americans and says there is no reason to expect it will be different with the immigrants now. - - Donna Poisl

By David Laskin

Italians, Poles and Jews, the three largest groups of newcomers during the peak years of immigration at the turn of the last century, arrived in the United States with deep cultural traditions, fervent religious beliefs, great expectations, and a hunger to succeed. One thing these groups did not bring with them from Europe was a strongly developed sense of national allegiance to their countries of origin.

And yet, soon after emigrating, all three groups enthusiastically and spontaneously pledged their allegiance to the United States. Why?
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.