The mass exodus of Russian Jews to the United States on the eve of World War I was facilitated by wealthy individuals who collaborated and competed to save millions from persecution.
The journey of Jewish immigrants from Russia to America was filled with challenges, including selling belongings, enduring long train journeys, and facing crowded and uncomfortable conditions on the ships.
Deep dives
The Mass Exodus of Jewish Immigrants to America
From the 1880s to World War I, 10 million immigrants, including Russian and Central European Jews, sailed from Europe to America. This migration was facilitated by three businessmen: Jacob Schiff, Albert Bailin, and JP Morgan. Schiff, a wealthy American investment banker, supported Jews leaving Europe. Bailin, the German director of the Hamburg American Line, created a transportation network for their journey. Morgan sought to monopolize the steamship business. Together, their efforts allowed millions to escape persecution. Stephen Ujifusa, author of 'The Last Ships from Hamburg,' traces his own family's immigration and explores debates on immigration from the 1880s to today.
The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Russia
In the late 19th century, anti-Semitism in Russia intensified after the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. His successor, Tsar Alexander III, cracked down on liberal reforms and initiated Russification. Jews, considered outsiders, became the target of state-sanctioned programs and mob violence. Many Russian Jews faced a difficult choice: stay and face discrimination or risk leaving everything behind to escape persecution. Emigrating to America, particularly through Hamburg, Germany, became the preferred route as other European countries were less receptive. This mass exodus was driven by the desire for safety and a better life.
The Challenges of Immigrating to America
Immigrants faced numerous challenges when coming to America. They had to sell their belongings, endure a long train journey to Hamburg, and wait in an immigrant village before boarding the ships. Steerage passengers, including the Weinstein family, were crowded in the lower decks with limited amenities. The voyage was uncomfortable, with many experiencing seasickness and fear of separation if someone fell ill during the immigration process. Upon arrival at Ellis Island, families hoped to pass the inspections and remain together. The Weinstein family ultimately settled in the Bronx, starting anew with the dream of a better life.
The Role of Philanthropy and Business Rivalry
The success of Jewish immigration was enabled by a convergence of philanthropy and business rivalry. Jacob Schiff, a wealthy Jewish financier, supported charities and organizations aiding Jewish immigrants. Albert Bailin, an influential figure in the Hamburg American Line, facilitated transportation and accommodation for Jewish immigrants. JP Morgan, driven by his business ambitions, aimed to consolidate the transatlantic shipping industry. While their motives varied, these individuals collectively played a crucial role in saving millions from persecution. Their collaboration and competition shaped the immigration landscape and had a lasting impact on society.
For a 30-year period, from the 1880s to World War I, 2.5 million Jews, fleeing discrimination and violence in their homelands of Eastern Europe, arrived in the United States. Many sailed on steamships from Hamburg. This mass exodus was facilitated by three businessmen whose involvement in the Jewish-American narrative has been largely forgotten: Jacob Schiff, the managing partner of the investment bank Kuhn, Loeb & Company, who used his immense wealth to help Jews to leave Europe; Albert Ballin, managing director of the Hamburg-American Line, who created a transportation network of trains and steamships to carry them across continents and an ocean; and J. P. Morgan, mastermind of the International Mercantile Marine (I.M.M.) trust, who tried to monopolize the lucrative steamship business. Though their goals were often contradictory, together they made possible a migration that spared millions from persecution.
Today’s guest is Steven Ujifusa, author of “The Last Ships From Hamburg: Business, Rivalry, and The Race to Save Russia’s Jews on the Eve of World War I.” His great-grandparents were part of this immigrant group, and he describes how they moved from the shtetls of Russia and the ports of Hamburg to the mansions of New York’s Upper East Side. We explore how debates on immigration have changed from the 1880s to today, and what it takes for the interests of billionaires and the interests of society’s poorest members to align.
