Assimilation vs. Acculturation

                I was shocked to notice patterns of how and why immigrant groups were able to assimilate or maintain their identity while reading the chapter “Other Europeans in Colonial America”. The concept of assimilation/ acculturation within the American life stood out to me as I was reading along about the various ethnic groups and their experience in colonial America. I came to the conclusion that language and religion seemed to be the two factors that would determine the ability and willingness of a group to assimilate into the American Life. The French Acadians or “Cajuns” stood out to me as a group that was able to maintain their identity due to their language and religion. This group established themselves in New Orleans in 1717 where they were able to maintain and evolve their culture to be unique to their cultural heritage. Up until the 1950s, the Cajuns still maintained a culture that was largely what it was when they first arrived. Because they were isolated from other groups, they were able to maintain their native French tongue (although their dialect changed over time) and the Roman Catholic religion. As was the social norm, many children were uneducated and illiterate because there was no emphasis on education. Can you imagine—a group of people who did not focus on education? It took Louisiana laws and the banning of French as the primary language used in school to begin the integration process into traditional American life. Even then, the Cajun people still maintain a unique culture that stems from their arrival in New Orleans. This group of people completely avoided assimilation into mainstream society for several centuries.

                In a similar way, the German immigrants were also able to maintain cultural aspects because of the language barrier that existed between the Germans and the English. However, unlike the Cajuns, the German people made efforts to assimilate more into society. Through the redemptioner indentured servant system, the German people were able to learn the cultures, local conditions, language and customs among other helpful things. This is not to say that they completely abandoned their culture. But rather, the Germans made an effort to become a part of “America”. They did maintain aspects of their culture, language and religious practices. Until the 1930s, it was still common for religious services to be conducted in German in the Pennsylvania-German areas. In the Pennsylvania-German settlements, much of the cultures and practices of the Germans who originally came are still very much maintained. However, if you are to leave that area, Germans have assimilated into society. I feel as though the maintaining of the German culture in the Pennsylvania areas is a perfect example of the idea of America being a mosaic as opposed to a melting pot. In the case of a mosaic, culture is exchanged throughout the different groups and an ethnic identity is still maintained.

                On a short note, it’s interesting to mention that those immigrants who already spoke English—such as the Scots, Irish, etc, had a much easier experience with assimilation. Groups like the Scots may have maintained ties and loyalty to their home country, but they still blended in with the idea of the “American”. Again, they are an example of being a part of a mosaic as opposed to a melting pot.