Ethnic Pride, American Patriotism: Slovaks And Other New Imiigrants

by June Alexander

Overview

In Ethnic Pride, American Patriotism, June Alexander presents a history of inter-war America from the perspective of new Slovak and Eastern European immigrant communities. Like the groups that preceded them, Slovak immigrants came to define being American as adhering to its political principles; they saw no contradiction between being patriotic Americans and maintaining pride in their ancestry. To counter the negative effects of the 1924 immigration law, Slovaks mobilized a variety of political and cultural activities to insure group survival and promote ethnic pride. In numerous localities "Slovak days" brought first and second generation immigrants together to celebrate their dual identity. June Granatir Alexander's study adds complexity and nuance to entrenched notions of conflicts between tradition-bound immigrants and their American-born children. Showing that ethnicity mattered to both generations, Alexander challenges generalizations derived from "whiteness" studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592137800
Publisher:	Temple University Press
Publication date:	11/20/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

June Granatir Alexander is on the faculty of the Russian and East European Studies Program at the University of Cincinnati. She is also the author of The Immigrant Church and Community: Pittsburgh's Slovak Catholics and Lutherans, 1880-1915.

Table of Contents

Preface and AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Getting a Perspective on "New Immigrant" AmericaPart I. The Transatlantic Years: World War I to 19241. Hyphenates and Patriots: An Ethnic Perspective on the Great War2. Unfinished Business: The Homeland, National Identity, and Americanization3. Memories, Principles, and Reality: The Postwar Era to 1924Part II. Turning Inward: 1924 Through World War II4. Manifesting Pride, Power, and Patriotism: Nationality Days in Local Communities5. Maintaining an Ethnic Image: Fashioning Nationality Days for Local Youths6. Language and Leisure: Getting the Younger Generation's Perspective7. Beyond the Generations: Ethnic Activism and Class Interest in the 1930s8. The Triumph of Principles: National Unity and Ethnic Activism in World War IIConclusion: Persistent Issues and New PerspectivesAbbreviationsBibliographical NoteNotesIndex