Period+2+Eastern+European



__** Turkey **__ -360,000 people immigrated from Ottoman Turkey between 1820 and 1950. (Approximately 45,000 to 60,000 were Muslim Turks. The rest were from Greece, Syria and Armenia.) -Early Turkish immigrants were mostly male because they didn’t want to bring their families until they gained financial security in the United States. **Reason for Immigrating:** economic or educational opportunity -An estimated 35,000 Turks returned to Turkey before the Great Depression. A small number stayed in the United States and settled along the East Coast. -While Pittsburgh does not have a large population of Turks, the number of Turkish grocery stores and restaurants has increased significantly over the past fiteen years. -The Turkish Cultural Center of Pittsburgh was established to promote Turkish customs through different events: religious trips to Turkey, food festivals, seminars and celebrations of special holidays. - People of Turkish ancestry in the United States number between 100,000 and 150,000. -Turkish people have a strong respect for hard work. As a result, many Turkish immigrants are drawn to higher learning in America. -Turkish people have also brought their unique cuisine, music, literature and dance to the United States. ** Life in America from their Perspective: ** Early Turkish immigrants probably felt lonesome because many left their families behind while they worked in the United States. It is also likely that they felt some isolation being in a new country where they did not speak the language. However, unlike some immigrants from other countries that faced prejudice in the United States, Turks assimilated pretty well.
 * Demographics: **
 * Influence on the Makeup of Pittsburgh: **
 * Influence on Contemporary World: **



__** Russia: **__ **Demographics:** There are a total of 3,000 people living in the city of Pittsburgh and make up 4.28 percent of the population. **Influence of the Makeup of Pittsburgh:** Immigration to Pittsburgh for the Russians began as early as the 20th century. There have been recent immigration waves to the city of Pittsburgh, and they have settled in areas such as Squirrel Hill and Greenfield. There are many Russian stores and restaurants throughout Pittsburgh. There is a small Russian Library at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill. Also, there are various food markets such as the Gourmet Market and Ethnic Foods, Taste of Europe. **Influence on the Contemporary World:** New ways of life and customs were brought into America so that the Russian people could relate to their life back home. __**Bulgaria:**__ **Demographics:** In 1900, the Bulgarian people came to America and later began to bring their families over in 1910 when their economic circumstances were stable. the Bulgarian population makes up only 0.46 percent in Pittsburgh. **Influence on the Makeup of Pittsburgh**: They settled in West Homestead, Duquesne and McKeesport. When World War I began, there was a total of 33 Bulgarian bakeries in Allegheny County. The Bulgarian-Macedonian National Organization preserves the cultural values and traditions of the people. They promote the traditions as a way of enhancing and tolerating the beliefs of the Bulgarians. **Influence of the Contemporary World:** At one point in time, the Bulgarian community of Pittsburgh was the largest in the United States. **Life in America from their Perspective:** For many who immigrated to Pittsburgh, the lifestyle was very different from that of the lifestyle in Bulgaria. Bulgarians had to overcome the language barrier and restart their life. Simple choices previously made in Bulgaria had to be transferred to Pittsburgh such as buying a house or finding a job.
 * Life in America from their Perspective: ** The Russian people were faced with many difficulties upon their arrival in Pittsburgh. In their search of a better life, they had to learn a new language and adjust to the set American values and traditions. While still keeping in touch with their heritage, many had to accept their new way of life.



__** Poland **__ **Demographics:** 2,000 immigrants arrived from Poland in the early 1800s and an additional 2.5 million came during the 1890s. ** Reasons for Immigrating: ** -economic opportunity -political oppression and instability -overpopulation -Some men wanted to avoid military conscription. **Influence on the Makeup of Pittsburgh:** A large amount of immigrants settled in the Pittsburgh area between the Hill District and Strip District, which is appropriately called Polish Hill. They found jobs as steel workers, meat packers, miners and later autoworkers. Polish food is commonly eaten in Pittsburgh such as pierogies and kielbasa. **Influence on Contemporary World:** Immigrants from Poland have had an impact on the American landscape by using their Polish cathedral style architecture to build churches and various other structures. For example, the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the most recognizable feature on Polish Hill in Pittsburgh. **Life in America from their Perspective:** The large immigration from Poland within a short period of time created friction with the already established Americans. For example, the immigrants already living in the United States feared that they would lose their jobs to the new immigrants who were willing to work for lower wages. The Poles’ strong Catholic affiliation also contributed to such intolerance.



-farming and small business -wanting of better educational resources and material resources
 * __ Czech Republic __**
 * Demographics: ** Between 1880 and 1914, less than 350,000 Czechs made the voyage to America, many who were highly skilled and literate.
 * Reas **** ons for Immigrating: **
 * Influence on the Makeup of Pittsburgh: ** The Czechs who immigrated to Western Pennsylvania lived in the eastern side of Pittsburgh, known as Troy Hill or Bohemia Hill. The Czechs closely bonded together, gaining success through small shops such as grocery stores, pharmacies and also jobs in the Heinz plant. Many of their churches, including St. Wenceslaus Church, were built in the early 1900’s.
 * Influence on Contemporary World: ** Most Czech immigrants who came to America were not at the poverty level, so they had the education and wealth to build a better career. Their small shops and business-wise sense gave way for people to create their own wealth and success through different industries.
 * Life in America from their Perspective: ** Just like the Slovaks, the Czechs stayed close together and kept a strong sense of tradition and culture in the lives. They built many churches to keep their faith alive in the new country, but through their cultural associations, the Czechs felt that they could bond with each other to grow and prosper in America.



-the search for permanent jobs -religious freedom -freedom of speech, through writings and the press -overpopulation -little farmland -unemployment -poverty
 * __ Slovakia __**
 * Demographics: ** Between 1874 and 1914, roughly 650,000 Slovaks immigrated to the United States, with 100,000 located in Pittsburgh.
 * Reasons for Immigrating: **
 * Influence on the Makeup of Pittsburgh: ** The Slovaks who settled in the Pittsburgh region were hard workers who wanted to find success in their new lives. They took up jobs in mines and mills in the booming industrial city. The Slovaks also had a great influence on the Catholic Churches in the area, and also kept their heritage and culture alive throughout the city. They settled in the North Hills, Swissvale, Homestead and Munhall.
 * Influence on Contemporary World: ** Slovakian immigrants influenced America because they brought their ambition and work ethic to the people to create a more function society for the working class. The Slovaks also relished their new found freedom of speech and press, allowing themselves to voice their opinions and beliefs without any persecution.
 * Life in America from their Perspective: ** The Slovaks came to America to find jobs and create a better life for themselves, and had a hard work ethic and had the desire to achieve success. All while adjusting to a new country, they kept their moral and cultural traditions alive with Slovakian cultural groups and their Catholic faith, which bonded them together in the new country.

** __Works Cited__ ** Altschiller, Donald. "Turkish Americans." //Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America//. Ed. Jeffrey Lehman. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale, 2000. 1795-1803. //Gale U.S. History In Context//. Web. 14 Jan. 2011.

Fedor, Helen. “The Slovaks in America.” //European Reading Room //. The Library of Congress. n.D. Web. 12 January 2011.

Ference, Gregory C., //Slovak Immigration to the United States in Light of American, Czech, and Slovak History //. //Nebraska History //. N.d. Web. 12 January 2011.

"Global Pittsburgh.org: Russian." //Welcome to GlobalPittsburgh.org Connecting Pittsburgh with the World! // Web. 14 Jan. 2011.

“History of Czechs in the Burgh.” //GlobalPittsburgh //. N.p. n.D. Web. 12 January 2011.

Jones, Syd. "Polish Americans." //Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America//. Ed. Jeffrey Lehman. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale, 2000. 1445-1460. //Gale U.S. History In Context//. Web. 14 Jan. 2011. "PGSA - The Poles of Pittsburgh and Western PA." //PGSA - Welcome to PGSA //. Web. 14 Jan. 2011.

“Slovakian.” //GlobalPittsburgh //. N.p. n.D. Web. 12 January 2011.