Austrian Immigration: Tracing The Roots Of Austrian Immigrants

Austrian immigrants have come from many different countries, with the United States, Canada, and Germany being some of the most popular destinations. The earliest documented German-Austrian settlers in America were around 50 families of Protestants from Salzburg who arrived in Georgia in 1734. The Austrian migration to the U.S. increased during the second half of the 19th century, with 275,000 Austrians living in the USA by 1900. Many Austrians also settled in Canada, especially after the passing of the Staatsgrundgesetz in 1867, which allowed free migration from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In recent years, Austria has also experienced significant immigration, with the number of people with foreign citizenship rising sharply, especially from other EU countries. Vienna, in particular, has a dynamic population that is growing due to immigration from abroad.

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Austrian immigration to the US

In the first half of the 19th century, few Austrians immigrated to the US, and fewer than 1,000 were listed in official surveys by 1850. Those who did come settled in Illinois and Iowa and were supported by Catholic priests from Germany and Austria. However, in the second half of the 19th century, Austrian immigration to the US increased significantly, with 275,000 Austrians living in the US by 1900. Many settled in New York City, Pittsburgh, and Chicago, finding employment in stockyards, cement factories, and steel factories.

During the late 1930s, Austrian immigration to the US surged once more as Jews fled Nazi persecution following the Annexation of Austria in 1938. By 1941, approximately 29,000 Jewish Austrians had emigrated to the US, including many doctors, lawyers, architects, and artists. After World War II ended, about 40,000 more Austrians emigrated to the US between 1945 and 1960.

Since the 1960s, Austrian immigration has been relatively small due to Austria's development and the reduction of poverty and political oppression. According to the 1990 US census, 948,558 people identified their origins in Austria. In 2015, 26,603 individuals born in Austria and living in the US identified themselves as being of Austrian ancestry, while 6,200 identified as being of German ancestry. Austrian immigrants have generally adapted well to American society, but they have also faced discrimination and negative stereotypes, often being lumped together with German immigrants.

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Religious persecution

The earliest documented German-Austrian settlers in America were around 50 families of Protestants from Salzburg who arrived in Georgia in 1734. These immigrants, known as the "Forty-eighters," had fled religious persecution and established the settlement of Ebenezer near Savannah. Similarly, in the late 1930s, a substantial number of Jewish Austrians migrated to the United States to escape Nazi persecution, with around 29,000 emigrating by 1941. This group of immigrants was predominantly composed of professionals, including doctors, lawyers, architects, and artists.

Following World War II, Austria experienced another wave of immigration, this time driven by the desolation and disorganization left in the war's wake. From the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s, approximately 70,000 Austrians sought a new life in the United States. This period also witnessed the emergence of Austrian immigrants in the cinema industry, with notable figures such as silent-screen star Ricardo Cortez and dancer Fred Astaire.

In addition to the Jewish community, Austrian Catholics have also endured persecution throughout history. During the Anschluss, or the German annexation of Austria, the Catholic Church faced oppression, with many religious leaders and laypersons being persecuted, deported to concentration camps, tortured, or executed. As a result, the Catholic religion and the church's influence have been on a decline since the end of World War II, particularly among the younger generation.

Austria has also experienced an increase in religious diversity due to recent immigration trends. Since 2011, the country has witnessed intensified refugee and migrant flows from the Middle East, Afghanistan, Turkey, former Yugoslavia, and the Balkans. This has sparked debates about the size of the Muslim population in Austria, with estimates suggesting that by 2046, Muslims could become the second-largest religious group in the country, alongside the unaffiliated, accounting for 21% of the population.

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Austrian immigration to Canada

The history of Austrian migration to the United States probably began in 1734 when around 50 families from Salzburg migrated to Georgia to escape Catholic repression. Most of these immigrants were Protestant, cosmopolitan, and left-wing. They found employment in Chicago stockyards and in cement and steel factories in Pennsylvania. In the late 1930s, more Austrians migrated to the United States, most of whom were Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. By 1941, around 29,000 Jewish Austrians had emigrated to the United States, with many working as doctors, lawyers, architects, and artists.

During the first half of the 19th century, fewer than 1,000 Austrians immigrated to the United States, with most settling in Illinois and Iowa. In the second half of the 19th century, Austrian immigration to the United States increased, with 275,000 Austrians living in the USA by 1900. Many Austrians settled in New York City, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. Since the 1960s, Austrian immigration has decreased significantly, mainly due to Austria's development as a nation with low poverty and political oppression. According to the 1990 US census, 948,558 people identified their origins in Austria, and in 2015, 26,603 individuals living in the US who were born in Austria identified themselves as being of Austrian ancestry.

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Immigration to Austria

Historical Context

Austria has experienced significant immigration waves throughout its history. The earliest recorded instance of Austrian immigration to the United States occurred in 1734 when approximately 50 Protestant families from Salzburg migrated to Georgia, escaping religious persecution. This group established the settlement of Ebenezer near Savannah and contributed to the development of the region.

World Wars and Their Aftermath

Both World Wars and the subsequent political climate had a profound impact on Austrian immigration. During and after World War II, many Austrians, particularly Jews, fled Nazi persecution and the annexation of Austria in 1938. This led to an influx of Austrian immigrants to the United States, including notable figures in various fields. By 1941, approximately 29,000 Jewish Austrians had sought refuge in the United States.

Industrialization and Agricultural Opportunities

The industrialization of the Austrian Empire in the late 19th century prompted a wave of emigration as Austrians sought new agricultural land and opportunities in the United States. Cities like New York, Pittsburgh, and Chicago became popular destinations for Austrian immigrants during this period.

Post-War Migration and EU Accession

The fall of the Iron Curtain, Austria's accession to the European Union in 1995, and subsequent EU enlargements contributed to significant migration to Austria, particularly to Vienna. The city has experienced dynamic population growth, attracting young immigrants from within the EU/EFTA and third countries, including those fleeing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

Current Trends

Austria's population growth is primarily driven by immigration. In recent years, the number of immigrants with foreign citizenship has increased. As of 2021, there were over 1.53 million foreign citizens in Austria, constituting 17.1% of the total population. Immigration has been crucial in compensating for the post-Baby Boom reduction in birth rates, contributing to the overall population growth and shaping the demographic landscape of the country.

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Austrian immigrants' identity

Austrian immigrants have a diverse range of backgrounds and identities, with a long history of migration to various countries, including the United States, Canada, and more recently, within Europe.

United States

Austrian migration to the United States has a long history, possibly starting as early as 1734 when a group of 50 Protestant families fled Catholic repression in Salzburg and settled in Georgia. This wave of immigrants was largely cosmopolitan and left-wing, and many returned to Austria after working and saving money in the US. Another significant wave of Austrian immigration to the US occurred in the late 1930s, with Jews fleeing Nazi persecution, including many professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and artists. By 1941, around 29,000 Jewish Austrians had emigrated to the US.

Austrian Americans have a strong sense of identity, often differentiating themselves from German immigrants, whom they see as more chauvinistic and domineering. They take pride in their cosmopolitanism, sophistication, and tolerance. Austrian Americans have contributed significantly to various fields, including medicine, arts, and business. Notable Austrian Americans include actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr, actor Martin Landau, and Isidor Bush, a leading Jewish citizen in St. Louis and Missouri through his business and civic endeavours.

Canada

Austrian migration to Canada has a history dating back to the 17th century when soldiers from the Austro-Hungarian Empire settled in New France. Emigration to Canada increased in the late 19th and early 20th centuries until it tightened in 1914 with the onset of World War I.

Europe

Within Europe, Vienna, Austria's capital, has experienced significant population growth due to immigration, particularly from other European countries. The fall of the Iron Curtain, Austria's accession to the EU, and migration due to conflicts have contributed to this growth. Vienna's population is diverse, with a significant number of foreign nationals and individuals of foreign origin. However, Viennese residents who do not hold Austrian citizenship are excluded from voting in elections, impacting a large portion of the population, especially young people.

Overall, Austrian immigrants have diverse identities shaped by their countries of origin and their adopted homelands. They have contributed to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of their new countries while maintaining their unique traditions and identities.

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