Migration From Norway To The US Flashcards
Who wrote “The promise of America” and what’s it about?
Odd S. Lovoll: it’s about the migration from Norway to the US with many viewpoints
Who wrote “Why did they leave?” And what’s it about?
Berit Eide Johnsen: it’s about the mmigration from Norway to America, looking at push and pull factors
How many people left Norway?
More than 900.000. Most if them to North America, but some few to South America, South Africa and Australia
How many left between 1865 and 1930?
780.000 - 87%
When are the four waves of emigration and how many left in those periods on average per year?
1866-73: 12.500 per year
1880-93: 18.000 per year
1901-10: 19.000 per year
1921-30: 8.660 per year
When was the pioneer phase of emigration?
1825-1865
How many returned to Norway later?
About 1/3
When was peak year emigration?
1882: 29.000
Where were the migrates mostly from?
The inner fjords in West Norway and the mountain valleys in East Norway in the pioneer phase. After that migrates came from all of Norway
What was special with the many that returned?
They brought with them American culture to Norway
Who left?
Mostly young, healthy men. There were more men leaving than women, but relatively more women in the later phases. The poorest couldn’t afford to leave and went to Northern Norway instead. At the start it was mostly families, but around 1900 there were more unmarried men and women
Why did the first leave Norway?
For religious reasons. The first from Stavanger in 1825 where Quakers ans seeked a more liberal society
What other reasons could make America seem like a more liberal and freer continent?
Political and personal opposition in the Norwegian society. It was difficult to disagree with the majority in Norway
What is the theory of Thorvald Moe on why people left?
87% left because of demographic conditions and economic reasons. There where economic crisis, especially in the 1880’s. There was a population growth after 1814 and there was insufficient amount of food and land. There was also an emigration culture in the south of Norway due to emigration to Holland in 1600 and 1700
What is the story of the first migrates in 1825?
They where 53 people who reached New York on a small sailing ship. On board a woman gave birth. Many of them where Quakers and Haugians. They new about America because Stavanger was a port with international connections
How did the information about America spread?
Through books and newspapers, but most important letters from Norwegians in America. Letters that often were written for anyone to read
