Some background info about our project

    We decided to do our project on the effects of World War II on immigration. We found World War II a fascinating event in history and a very important topic to talk about. Whenever one thinks of World War II, one usually thinks of Hitler, concentration camps, and gas chambers, but did you ever think of the effects of World War II on U.S.? Immigration was a big part of World War II. Many Europeans left Europe in search of a better life and more opportunities. There is much talk about immigration to U.S. now but if one thinks about the time, the trip was much more tiring and awful 60 years ago when people had to take the trip on a crowded boat with sickening circumstances.

    The trip to U.S. as a result of World War II is rarely talked about. The Irish immigration, for example, is a widely known topic and many know much about it. The World War II immigration is not as "popular", thus making the process of having the story heard even more interesting. A lot of people who have been on the awful trips to America did not have their story heard and our project's purpose is to reveal their stories and show the stories of the not-so-well known part of history which was immigration after World War II. Many people who have suffered much during the World War II horror took the wonderful opportunity to go to the U.S. and accept the new adventure that was on their way.

    Europeans were mistreated very much during World War II by the German forces and therefore it was a necessity for Europeans to flee the country after World War II because the times were  not good at all. When the U.S. gave many  the opportunity to come to America, people took the chance and left to experience a life with no abuse. The trip was horrifying and the getting-used-to was also not one of the easiest tasks but it was all better than the struggles they had to overcome in their native countries. The people who got the chance to go America were placed in so called "DP Camps" where they were forced to work for Germany. Because of their recognized struggle the people who wanted a better life jumped on the first boat that was given to them and without thinking what will happen next made it to the country of opportunities.

    The DP camps were set up to find workforce for Germany. People were taken from their families and thrown into barracks to work. They had no pay but fortunately they had been given food and shelter. The people in the camps were forced to work all days long and were expected to do everything. The women had to do a men's job which was not an easy task. Some were fortunate enough to get owners that were pleasant but others were not so lucky. Even though this was the case many could not say 'yes' enough to the idea of going to America and starting their new lives with their new freedoms.