Amish Americans
Where Were They From:
- Old-Order Amish Mennonites are a Germanic people who stem from the Swiss Anabaptists movement that emerged during the Reformation in the 16th century.
- They come from out of Europe. They lived in Switzerland, Alsace-Lorraine, the Palatinate (now West Germany), France and Holland.
When:
- The Amish originated between 1693 and 1697 as a dissenting orthodox faction of the Swiss Anabaptists (Also at the same time called Mennonites after their founder, Menno Simmons). They began setting in the U.S. from 1727 to 1790. Also, a second wave came from 1815 to 1865.
What region of the US did they settle:
- They settled originally in Pennsylvania, then later in Ohio, New York, Indiana, and Illinois.
What occupations did they take part in:
- They are excellent farmers and usually live on productive soils, most notably in Lancaster, PA. The young are given meaningful roles in family farm work. Amish children help their parents on the farm until themselves get married, and then the parents try to secure farms with their children. Influenced by their self-reliant experience in Europe, the Amish combine family labor and management with an integrated agricultural way of life.
What are the family patterns, Rituals:
- The Amish are distinguished by their simple ways of living, non-conformist attitudes, in group marriage patterns, and resistance to modernization. By living in Rural areas, speaking the Pennsylvania German dialect, using horses for farming, and dressing in “plain” clothing resembling that of Europeans two centuries ago, they have maintained socially distinct communities even though they are neighbors to non-Amish people. Biblical High German is used in religious services, but all Amish people also speak English. They meet for worship in their farm house usually every two weeks for every 3 or 4 hours.
Are they a group that appreciates schooling:
- No, their rules forbid members from having a practical elementary education. It took them until 1940 to even establish any schools at all.
What are the basic demographics today?
- The Amish have increased from approximately 5,000 in 1900 to about 80,000 today. They don’t make a set income because they mainly just farm which doesn’t have a guaranteed amount each year.
Fun Facts:
- Tourism has become a part of Amish life. Tourists come from all over the US to visit their farms, purchase their home made goods, including the candy “Turkish Taffy.”
- Two movies of interest that depict the Amish are:
- (1) Kingpin(1996) PG-13
The Farrelly brothers dumb down and goof up pro bowling -- and gross us out in the process. After bowler Roy Munsen (Woody Harrelson) swindles the wrong crowd and is left with a hook for a hand, he settles into impoverished obscurity. That is, until he uncovers the next big thing: an Amish kid named Ishmael (Randy Quaid). So, the corrupt and the hopelessly naïve hit the circuit intent on settling an old score with Big Ern (Bill Murray).
(2) Witness(1985) R
In director Peter Weir's tense thriller, cop John Book (Harrison Ford) goes undercover in an Amish community to protect a boy who witnessed a murder. Once inside, the faux-Amish Block must adjust to major culture shock while cautiously romancing the child's mother (Kelly McGillis). Suspense and romance intermingle memorably in William Kelly's airtight script, a frequent model for budding screenwriters.