14 / 2001
Ulf Beijbom

Swedish etnicity in America



ABSTRACT
Swedish emigrants in North America fulfil the majority of the criteria, which define an ethnic group. They were connected by a common language, protestant religion, and appurtenance to identical social and cultural standards. They immigrated in serried groups. The Church was the first and the strongest connector and organiser of Swedes in America. They began immigrating to the U.S.A. in the middle of the 19th century. In 1910 “the Swedish America” reached its peak; as much as 60% of Swedish immigrants and their children spoke only Swedish.