"Laska K Vlasti" : Love to Fatherland : a Look at 19th Century Czech Immigration in Wisconsin

Abstract

A boom of Czech immigration into America began after revolutions in Europe in 1848, and for a number of years Wisconsin was the most popular destination for these incoming immigrants. This paper will discuss the reasons that Wisconsin held the most Czech immigrants from 1850 to 1880. Specifically, the paper will focus on the counties of Manitowoc and Kewaunee to serve as a sample for Czech economic and cultural life in Wisconsin during the nineteenth century. Finally, the paper will also look at why there was a decrease in the Czech population of Wisconsin after 1880, and discuss different theories as to their migration from Wisconsin during this time.