The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites to Central Asia, 1880-1884, Fred Richard Belk, 1976

nsuccessful attempt to appeal to the czar himself, about one third of the Mennonites of Russia, or approximately 18,- 000 people, began seriously considering the United States as a new homeland. They knew compulsory military service did not exist in the United States, and they were aware of the homestead laws, ac- cording to which every person who had declared his intention to be- come a citizen would receive 160 acres of land.'’? Both the govern- ment and the American railroad companies were seeking new settlers for a vast frontier.’* American Mennonite leaders, especially in Kan- sas, promised help in relocating new settlers from Russia." Presi- dent Grant, despite the fact that individual states retained conscription powers, assured Russian Mennonites that ‘‘we will not be entangled for the next fifty years in another war, where military service will be necessary.’ Grant’s secretary of state, Hamilton Fish, assured them that conscientious objectors would always be granted noncombatant service. In the United States Congress there was a mixture of feelings about Russian Mennonites. In a debate in the Senate some sena- tors were in favor of being able to get “‘the very best farmers in Russia.” Other congressmen, however, argued that a “closed commu- nity’ would be created by their settlement. This, they argued, would be against the fundamental principle of equality of citizenship and freedom. The result of the debate was that no action was taken to forbid entry into the United States. In spite of differing congressional opinions, the immigration from the Ukraine of Russia was in full swing by the end of 1874. The Mennonites of America joined together to organize for financial aid to the Russian immigrants. The majority of the immigrants, num- bering about 18,000, arrived in America in 1874, and smaller groups came during the last years of the nineteenth century. Those who came to the United States and Canada from Russia settled primarily in the plains states of mid-America, which re- sembled the Ukrainian land they left. Many settled and prospered in the states of Nebraska and Kansas before moving farther westward. Still others went south into Oklahoma or north into the Dakotas. Approximately 8,000 settled in the rich valleys of Manitoba. Wherever they settled their farming techniques not only brought them pros- perity but set an example for other settlers. Among the many interesting features of the Mennonite economic MENNONITE MIGRATION: 1874-1884 In 1874 one third of the Mennonites of Russia (18,000) came to the prairie states and provinces of North America. Mennonites from Volhynia, Galicia, Poland, and Prussia joined them. a ae oe Casa Faxeeh, wow | G A ‘Prairiey wie os \ : ee Poked | RACE i = Pathe uoy2}0U07) 40 asswsosdw0D Lb 48 The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites development in America is their introduction of Turkey Red Wheat into their adopted l