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Connecticut
During the Early 19th Century
Connecticut
faced many changes to its population, economy, and
government during the first half of the 19th century.
The new state quickly faced trouble with the embargo
that preceded the War of 1812. Without trade with
Europe, Connecticut's economy floundered. Anti-Jefferson
sentiment ran high and most of Connecticut's citizens
did not support the second war with England and
then Governor, Roger Griswold, refused to supply
his militia to the United States Government. Political
matters were soon complicated when the British attacked
Connecticut at Essex and Stonington. Despite their
resentment towards the war and refusal to participate,
the people of Connecticut complained that they were
abandoned by the government and left undefended.
Men representing the New England states met in Hartford
and created a set of amendments to protect themselves
against the federal government, but the end of the
war put a stop to any ideas of leaving the union.
Connecticut's
government witnessed a major shift in power during
this time. The Constitution of 1818 ended the Puritan
Commonwealth and terminated the established church.
This took the power away from the religious elite
and distributed it to the individual towns. Established
towns were allowed two representatives in the lower
house of the General Assembly; new towns were allowed
only one. This gradually led to the domination of
the state government by the older, established parts
of the state.
The
economy was responsible for other significant changes
in the course of Connecticut's 19th century existence.
The decline of agriculture forced the creation of
a diverse manufacturing economy. The state's industrial
economy was based on many different products, ranging
from clock manufacturing to medicine production.
Between 1790 and 1930, Connecticut ranked at, or
near, the top for the number of patents granted
per state.(5)
This "Yankee ingenuity" created diversity that helped
to solidify the economy and secure it from recessions
and declines. During mid-century, the availability
of easy transportation helped Connecticut's manufacturers
reach even bigger and more stable markets.
One
of the less fortunate events that Connecticut experienced
during this time was a rapid out-migration of citizens.
This out-migration was triggered by a combination
of political and economical factors. One of the
earliest causes of migration was the Revolution.
Some, such as the Loyalists, were forced out during
the war. Others settled in Vermont during the Revolution
because Vermont did not levy taxes on land. The
people from the upland counties of Tolland and Windham
and from the hill towns of Litchfield County formed
two major waves of Vermont settlers.
A
much stronger cause for migration was the state's
stagnant agricultural economy. During the late 18th
and early 19th centuries, it became apparent that
Connecticut could not compete in the larger agricultural
economy because of the environment and primitive
farming techniques. Connecticut was limited by its
size and short growing season, leaving little room
for the younger generations to obtain their own
farmland. Many young people left Connecticut for
the west, where land was plentiful. Between 1780
and 1840, nearly 750,000 people left Connecticut.
Early western migrants from Connecticut went to
Iroquois land in New York. Connecticut migrants
founded Kirkland, New York. The majority of Connecticut's
migrants settled in the Midwest. The Western Reserve,
an area of land bordering Lake Erie and Pennsylvania,
was governed by Connecticut until 1800. Small numbers
of Connecticut citizens migrated there during the
1790s and 1800s. Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan
also drew significant numbers of settlers from Connecticut.
These migrants used their agricultural and inventive
traditions to help build the new cities of the west.
Anti-Slavery and the Civil War
Although
far removed from the physical battleground of the
Civil War, Connecticut was on the frontlines of
the political battlefield. Many of Connecticut's
citizens were anti-slavery advocates, participating
in abolitionist societies and political groups.
The Amistad incident brought the anti-slavery issue
to Connecticut's foreground in 1839. The Amistad
was a Cuban slave ship that had been taken over
by the slaves. It was captured by a United States
naval vessel and escorted to New Haven. The Spanish
government wanted the slaves returned, but the slaves
fought for their freedom. Connecticut citizens helped
the slaves find legal representation, which was
essential to their quest for freedom. The case went
all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which held
the Connecticut judicial decision that the slaves
should go free.
Although
Connecticut had a strong abolitionist movement,
Connecticut's blacks were not treated as equal citizens.
Prejudice and discrimination abounded in employment
and educational opportunities. Nonetheless, Connecticut
remained active in the anti-slavery movement and
was staunchly pro-Union during the war.
Connecticut
took a similar role during the Civil War as they
did during the Revolution. The state provided many
supplies for the troops. Uniforms and other clothing,
including textiles, brass buttons, rubber blankets,
ponchos and boots were manufactured in Connecticut.
Arms, ammunition, steamships, and cavalry equipment
were also supplied by the "Provisions State." In
addition to equipment, Connecticut supplied over
55,000 men. Over 20,000 of them suffered casualties.
Late 19th Century Connecticut
The
two major developments that characterized Connecticut's
history during the second half of the 19th century
were immigration and industrialization. The manufacturing
economy that emerged during the first half of the
century blossomed during the second half. Between
1870 and 1900, the number of manufacturers in Connecticut
nearly doubled, as did the state's gross product.(6)
Textiles and hardware were the leading industries,
but smaller manufacturing endeavors prospered as
well, such as typewriter and bell production.
| The
workforce that fueled the industrialization
was drawn from the thousands of immigrants
who flooded Connecticut during the late
19th and early 20th centuries. During
the first half of the century, Connecticut
received only small numbers of immigrants.
In 1850, only about ten percent of the
state's population was foreign born.
This changed dramatically during the
second half of the century. Millions
of immigrants came to the United States
during this time. Most were from Europe,
and many were from the southern and
eastern European countries. Connecticut
appealed to many immigrants because
of the ample industrial opportunities.
Most of the immigrants had limited skills
and were willing to do factory work.
The factories drew thousands of immigrants,
and by 1930, seventy-five percent of
Connecticut's population was foreign
born.(7)
|
|
Connecticut's
Leading Industries, 1900
(Roth, 149)
|
The largest immigrant groups in Connecticut were
the Italians, Irish, Poles, and French Canadians.
Italian immigration began somewhat later than other
groups, such as the Irish and Germans. Italians
arrived in Connecticut in large numbers during the
first decade of the 20th century. By 1910, over
60,000 Italians had settled in the state.(8)
| Table
1: Connecticut's Major Immigrant Groups, 1860-1930(9)
|
|
Country of Origin
|
1860
|
1870
|
1880
|
1890
|
1900
|
1910
|
1920
|
1930
|
|
England
|
8,875
|
12,992
|
15,543
|
20,572
|
21,569
|
22,465
|
22,708
|
22,063
|
|
Scotland
|
2,546
|
3,238
|
4,157
|
5,992
|
6,175
|
6,750
|
7,487
|
10,013
|
|
Ireland
|
55,445
|
70,630
|
70,638
|
77,880
|
70,994
|
58,458
|
45,464
|
38,418
|
|
Norway
|
22
|
72
|
168
|
523
|
709
|
1,265
|
1,414
|
1,806
|
|
Sweden
|
42
|
323
|
2,066
|
10,021
|
16,164
|
18,208
|
17,697
|
18,453
|
|
Denmark
|
91
|
116
|
428
|
1,474
|
2,249
|
2,724
|
3,040
|
3,129
|
|
Switzerland
|
275
|
492
|
680
|
998
|
1,499
|
1,806
|
1,863
|
1,774
|
|
France
|
549
|
820
|
1,079
|
2,048
|
2,427
|
2,619
|
3,326
|
2,889
|
|
Germany
|
8,353
|
12,443
|
15,627
|
28,176
|
31,892
|
31,127
|
22,614
|
23,465
|
|
Poland
|
73
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
46,623
|
49,367
|
|
Czechoslavakia
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
6,558
|
12,220
|
|
Austria
|
172
|
154
|
287
|
1,187
|
5,330
|
23,642
|
12,699
|
6,306
|
|
Hungary
|
0
|
30
|
76
|
1,146
|
5,692
|
13,855
|
13,222
|
9,836
|
|
Russia
|
46
|
34
|
65
|
3,027
|
11,404
|
54,121
|
38,719
|
25,769
|
|
Lithuania
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
11,662
|
13,347
|
|
Greece
|
6
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
121
|
1,074
|
3,851
|
3,337
|
|
Italy
|
61
|
117
|
879
|
5,282
|
19,105
|
56,954
|
80,322
|
87,123
|
|
Portugal
|
265
|
48
|
165
|
230
|
568
|
707
|
1,200
|
2,345
|
|
Canada
|
3,145
|
10,840
|
16,444
|
21,232
|
27,035
|
28,686
|
24,631
|
37,808
|
The
earliest Italian immigrants were largely from
the provinces of Potenza, Calabria, Salerno, and
Abruzzi, but the immigrations soon included large
numbers from the southern regions, especially
Sicily. Italians were most prevalent in Hartford,
where they settled on the east side, in what became
known as Little Italy. The Italian community of
New Haven was centered in Wooster Square, an area
previously inhabited by Irish. This shift in enclave
dominance shows the change in immigration patterns
during the late 19th century. The Irish, Connecticut's
second largest immigrant group, began migration
to the United States long before the Italians.
The legendary Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s
spurred an emigration of Irish that numbered into
the millions. Irish people continued to immigrate
to the United States throughout the 19th century,
and became one of the largest ethnic groups in
the country.
Most
of the immigrants who came to Connecticut during
this time were in search of better economic opportunities.
Whether fleeing crop failures, such as the Irish
and the Italians, or escaping religious and political
persecution, such as the Russians, Jews, and Poles,
these people looked to America for sanctuary and
opportunity. They fueled the growing industrial
economy and solidified Connecticut's move from
a rural to an urban state. Almost all of the immigrants
settled in cities. Each city drew different immigrant
groups depending on the factories the town had.
Hartford and New Haven were the two cities with
the largest immigrant populations, but enclaves
existed in many other cities. New Britain housed
large Armenian, Swedish, and Polish populations,
and Torrington had more French and Swiss immigrants
than any other town in Connecticut.
|
Nationality
|
Place
of Highest Concentration (1930)(10)
|
|
Italians
|
New Haven
|
|
Jews
|
Hartford
|
|
Irish
|
Hartford
|
|
Poles
|
New Britain
|
|
Russians
|
New Haven
|
|
Czechs
|
Bridgeport
|
|
Canadians
|
Hartford
|
|
Hungarians
|
Bridgeport
|
|
Germans
|
New Haven
|
|
English
|
Bridgeport
|
|
Lithuanians
|
Waterbury
|
|
Swedes
|
New Britain
|
|
Scotch
|
Hartford
|
|
Ukrainians
|
New Britain
|
|
Austrians
|
Bridgeport
|
|
Danes
|
Hartford
|
|
French
|
Torrington
|
|
Greeks
|
Bridgeport
|
|
Portuguese
|
Hartford
|
|
Swiss
|
Torrington
|
|
Armenians
|
New Britain
|
|
The
earliest Italian immigrants were largely
from the provinces of Potenza, Calabria,
Salerno, and Abruzzi, but the immigrations
soon included large numbers from the
southern regions, especially Sicily.
Italians were most prevalent in Hartford,
where they settled on the east side,
in what became known as Little Italy.
The Italian community of New Haven was
centered in Wooster Square, an area
previously inhabited by Irish. This
shift in enclave dominance shows the
change in immigration patterns during
the late 19th century. The Irish, Connecticut's
second largest immigrant group, began
migration to the United States long
before the Italians. The legendary Irish
Potato Famine of the 1840s spurred an
emigration of Irish that numbered into
the millions. Irish people continued
to immigrate to the United States throughout
the 19th century, and became one of
the largest ethnic groups in the country.
Most
of the immigrants who came to Connecticut
during this time were in search of better
economic opportunities. Whether fleeing
crop failures, such as the Irish and
the Italians, or escaping religious
and political persecution, such as the
Russians, Jews, and Poles, these people
looked to America for sanctuary and
opportunity. They fueled the growing
industrial economy and solidified Connecticut's
move from a rural to an urban state.
Almost all of the immigrants settled
in cities. Each city drew different
immigrant groups depending on the factories
the town had. Hartford and New Haven
were the two cities with the largest
immigrant populations, but enclaves
existed in many other cities. New Britain
housed large Armenian, Swedish, and
Polish populations, and Torrington had
more French and Swiss immigrants than
any other town in Connecticut. |
|
Religion In Connecticut
Connecticut
has a fabulously rich religious history. Puritans
founded the state, the Great Awakening diversified
the people's beliefs, and mass immigration brought
a whole new population of religious adherents.
The Puritan base remained strong in Connecticut
throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, dominating
the citizens' personal and political lives. The
Puritan (Congregational) Church was Connecticut's
established church until 1818. During that time,
church attendance was mandatory. They believed
that harmony in life was found through work, family,
isolation, and purity. Needless to say, their
religion shaped their everyday lives. During the
17th century, dissenters, such as the Quakers,
faced discrimination and harsh punishment for
not belonging to the established church. Quakers
could be deported, whipped, and branded for their
beliefs. The turn of the 18th century brought
some relief to non-Puritans, but those who did
not attend the established church had to pay extra
fees.
The
Great Awakening, a religious revival that swept
through the colonies during the early 1700s, dramatically
changed Connecticut's religious scene. During
this time, new sects, such as the Baptists and
Methodists, became popular. Itinerate preachers
toured the area, giving outdoor sermons and holding
revivals throughout New England. Between 1740
and 1820, the number of Baptist churches rose
from four to seventy-three.(11)
The Congregational Church, which was Connecticut's
established church, split into two sects; the
Old Lights and the New Lights. The New Lights
were open to the religious changes brought by
the Great Awakening; the Old Lights were traditional
and skeptical of the new sects. The Old Lights,
who controlled the Assembly, reacted to the revival
by creating laws against the itinerant preachers.
A law was passed that prohibited preachers to
speak outside of their parish. The Old Lights
gradually realized that the new sects were going
to be permanent fixtures in their society, and
that tolerance was necessary.
The religious scene
changed again in Connecticut with the arrival
of new immigrants. Irish immigrants, who were
present in Connecticut in small numbers during
the 18th century, received a huge population boom
during the 1830s and 1840s, which dramatically
increased the Roman Catholic presence in Connecticut.
The Catholic population increased again with the
influx of Italians at the turn of the 20th century.
Lutheran, Jewish, and Christian Orthodox populations
also grew during the 19th century, bringing a
level of religious diversity never before seen
in Connecticut.
|
Religion
(2000)
|
Percentage
|
| Christian |
83%
|
| Protestant |
48%
|
| Baptist |
10%
|
| Episcopal |
6%
|
| Methodist |
4%
|
| Lutheran |
4%
|
| Congregationalist |
2%
|
| Other
Protestant |
22%
|
| Roman
Catholic |
34%
|
| Other
Christian |
1%
|
| Jewish |
3%
|
| Other
Religion |
1%
|
| Non-Religious |
13%
|
Click
here to continue
(5) Fraser.
(6)
Roth, 151.
(7) Thomas R. Lewis and John, E. Harmon.
Connecticut, A Geography, (Boulder, Colorado: Westview
Press, 1986), 64.
(8)
Samuel Koeing. Immigrant Settlements in Connecticut:
Their Growth and Characteristics, (Hartford, Connecticut:
Connecticut State Department of Education, 1938),
17.
(10) Koenig,
27.
(11) Dusen, 340.
By
Rickie Lazzerini
Historian
BA History
University of California, Santa Barbara
Index
of Historical Reviews
© 2006 Rickie Lazzerini,
All Rights Reserved
This page may be freely linked to but may not
be reproduced
in any form without prior written consent from
the author.
|
