POLISH IMMIGRATION IN AMERICA:
A STUDY OF POLITICAL STRIFE AND FOOD CULTURE
CHELSEA EDWARDS
DTC 258
PROFESSOR ALLISON JAY
JULY 21, 2017
Polish immigrants have a long standing history in the United States, specifically
Michigan. The food culture of Polish immigrants is one that is unique and full of
character. In order to further explore the food culture of the Polish, we must first discuss
the history of the Poles and why they chose to immigrate from their home country.
It is said that Polish immigration occurred in the United States in three separate
waves. The first was in the 1800s, the second in the mid- 20th century, just after the
second World War and the third in the 1980s. During the first wave of immigration,
southern Poland was experiencing a sudden case of overpopulation. Many people were
uneducated and unskilled therefore could not find work, there was a lack of jobs and
overall opportunities in southern Poland during this time. Other than lack of economic
opportunities, there were also political and religious tensions that were affecting Polish
