Figure 1.--Most Canadian mennonites live in Ontario or Manitoba. The Ontario Mennonites mostly came from Switzerland, but arroved via Pennsylvabia in the United States. They were attracted by inexpensive land as well as the safty of British rule. This photograph was takenn in Poole, Ontario, during a horse sale.

Mennonite came to Canadac primarily from two places, Switzerland (via Pennsylvania) and Russia. Because of repression in Switzerland and Germany sought refuge in places safer places. Some went to America where the idea of religious freedom was growing. Swiss Mennonites did not migrante to Canada while it was under French control because of French repression of Protestants. The British seizure of Canada in the French and Indian War (1756-63) changed the situation. Swiss Mennonites established communities in Pennsylvania, a colony where the idea of religious freedom was implanted at an early point by Quaker Willianm Penn. The Mennites first arrived in Pennsylvania (1683). As they spoke German theu were not identified locally as Swiss, but the Pennsyvania Dutch. (Deutsch mean Germany was confused by English speaking Americans with the Dutch.) Later at about the time as other groups of Mennonites began settling in Russia, some of the Swiss Mennonites began moving from Pennsylvania to "Upper Canada" (modern Ontario). The Mennonites were attracted to Canada, by large expanses of inexpensive land. Some were also attracted by British rule. Presumably the cultural autonomy conferred on French Canadians may have been a factor. The first Swiss Mennonite families departed Pennsylvania after the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and the achievement of independence. The first few families were followed by more Mennonites draw by letters from the first famikies. The Mennonites call the migration the 'Trail of the Conestoga'. Like Americans moving west, they traveled north in covered wagons (1785-1825). They settled in Niagara Peninsula and along the Grand River of what is now Ontario. Many established farms in Waterloo County. Benjamin Eby founded Ebytown now called by the more British-sounding Kitchener. About 2,000 Mennonites made the trek, most from Pennsylvania. Some Amish families in Pennsylvania followed the Mennonites to Ontario. Mennoites also established colonies in western Canada (Manitoba). As Russian policies changed toward the Folksdeutsche in the 19th century toward an effort at Russification, some Mennonites moved to Canada. Large numbers who remained in Russia were subsequently killed ordied in deploable condition when Stalin during World War II exiled the Folksdeutsche from their Volga farms to Siberia (1941).

Swiss via Pennsylvania: Ontario (1780s-mid 1800s)

Because of repression in Switzerland and Germany sought refuge in places safer places. Some went to the British colonies in North America where the idea of religious freedom was growing. Swiss Mennonites did not migrante to Canada while it was under French control because of French repression of Protestants. The British seizure of Canada in the French and Indian War (1754-63) would change the situation. Swiss Mennonites established communities in Pennsylvania, a colony where the idea of religious freedom was implanted at an early point by Quaker Willianm Penn. The Mennites first arrived in Pennsylvania (1683). As they spoke German theu were not identified locally as Swiss, but the Pennsyvania Dutch. (Deutsch mean Germany was confused by English speaking Americans with the Dutch.) Later at about the time as other groups of Mennonites began settling in Russia, some of the Swiss Mennonites began moving from Pennsylvania to "Upper Canada" (modern Ontario). The Mennonites were attracted to Canada, by large expanses of inexpensive land. Some were also attracted by British rule. A Mennoite historian tells us, "Some Mennonites from Pennsylvania, particularly those who came very early (prior to 1800) had suffered for their unwillingness to participate in the Revolutionary War. They objected for several reasons: 1) Some understood that they (or their ancestors) had became British citizens by pledging support to the British crown. They were not sure they should break this pledge. 2) Mennonites were accustomed to dealing with monarchs and authoritarian governments, and had often made direct applications to authorities for 'rights'; they had never lived in democracies and were uncertain of the implications. Of course there were other Mennonites who thought they should be submissive to whatever government was in authority, so did not resist the governmental changes. Most Mennonites simply tried to stay out of the Revolution, though some young Mennonite men did enter of the armies of both sides. The number of Mennonites who genuinely suffered at the hands of pro-Revolutionary neighbors was relatively small, but some of these came to Canada in the late-1780s and early-1790s. I personally believe Mennonites who came after 1800 were primarily economic migrants." [Steiner] Presumably the cultural autonomy conferred on French Canadians may have been a factor. The first Swiss Mennonite families departed Pennsylvania after the American Revolution (1775-83) and the achievement of independence. The first few families were followed by more Mennonites draw by letters from the first famikies. The Mennonites call the migration the 'Trail of the Conestoga'. Like Americans moving west, they traveled north in covered wagons (1785-1825). They settled in Niagara Peninsula and along the Grand River of what is now Ontario. Many established farms in Waterloo County. Benjamin Eby founded Ebytown and became Berlin (1807?). It was then changed during World War I to the more British-sounding Kitchener (1916). About 2,000 Mennonites made the trek, most from Pennsylvania. The communities they established in IOntario continue to this day. One report identified 20 distinct groups of Mennonites in southern Ontario (1998). These groups are diverse as there are many different rules. The Old Order Mennonites are the best known becaus like the Amoish in Pennsylvania they have destinctive customs, most notably clothing and an aversion to modern machinery like cars. Most Mennonites are less destinctive, however, and can not easily be distinguished from other Canadians.

The Amish: Ontatrio (1820s-50s)

Some Amish families in Pennsylvania followed the Mennonites to Ontario. Discrimination and the Napoleonic Wars drove the Amish still living in Europe to North America. The Amish had well establioshed communities in Pennsylvania. They were also attracted to Canada. They may have heard about the Mennonite success there. The Amish began to arrive after the Mennonites werec well establisdhed (1820s). This was time just after the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The first Amish made the same treck north from Pennsylvania that the Mennonites did. Very soon after this, Amish families began to arrive from Europe. They came from France (Alsace and Lorraine) and Germany (Bavaria and other German states). The Amish disd not, however, travel directly to Canada. Instead they landed along the eastern United States, teaveled to Pennsylvania and then made the trk north. We imagine that inexpensive land was the principal allure. They traveled by horseback, cart, and on foot. Many of the Amish settled just to the west of Waterloo County (Wilmot township) where most of the Mennonites were located. About 1,000 Amish people had reached Ontario (1850). This meant that almost all of the Amish were in Canada or America.

Russians: Manitoba

Mennoites also established colonies in western Canada (Manitoba). And unlike the Swiss/American Mennonites who came in a slow trickle over decades, the Russian/Ukranian Mennonites came in a flood during three very short periods. They came mostly from the Ukraine, at the time part of Tsarist Russia and subsequently the Soviet Union. It was a fateful decession to migrte to North metica, halfway around the globe. It would prove to be a fateful decision. Large numbers who remained in Russia were subsequently killed ordied in deplorable condition when Stalin during World War II exiled the Folksdeutsche from their Volga farms to Siberia (1941). Russian/Ukranian Mennonites made a major contribution to the settkement of the country's western prarie provinces, especiall Manitoba. Winnipeg, Manitoba has one of the largest urban populations of Mennnites.

Tsarist Russia (1873-84)

Tsarist policies began to change toward the Folksdeutsche, including the Mennonites in the 19th century. The Tsarist regime began to pursue a policy of Russification. This was the same period in which Tsarist officals launched increasingly repressive policies toward the Jews, including dreadful pograms. The overall policy was one of Russification. Some Mennonites began to look forca new refuge. Of greatest concern was the possibility that they might be required to serve in the Tsarist military. And it is just at this time that Canadian officials launched efforts to settle the vast, largely unpopulated prarie provinces west of Ontario. The government began to advertise in Europe that it was open to immigration, especially for those who knew how to farm. And the Mennonites were largely farmers skilled in working the same type of land that was now available in western Canada. The land could be had at low cost, sometimese even free, and peaceful Canada had no conscription law. This proved to be a godsend for the beleagered Mennonites. Spme 8,000 Mennonites migrated to Manitoba (1873-84). Another 13,000 migrated to the United States at the same gtime, settling in the midwestern plsines states where cheap land was also available. Jacob Shantz, a Swiss-Mennonite who settled in Ontario, played a key role in this effort. He scouted Manitoba for suitable land and negotiated with the Canadian Government. And he collected contributions from Mennoitire communities to finance the passage costs and to help the immigrants get settled.

Russian Revolution (1920s)

The Russian Revolution occurred during World War I (1917). This was followed by the Civil War (1918-20). Mennonite communities were confronted with chaos, the Civil War, and roaming bands of hungary fighters and bandits followed by dreadful food shortages. Only American food aid prevented mass starvation in the resulting famine. The Bolsheviks were determined to fundamentally reorder Tsarist Russia and to use force to do it. And as they were committed athiests, religious communities like the Mennoites were in peril. The Mennonites had no idea if they would be allowed to live, worship, and farm as they had been able to under Tsarist ruile. And as history would prove, they had good reason for these concerns. As a result, many Mennonites decided to migrate to North America. Mennonite communities in North America again stepped up to assist them. Approximately 21,000 people Russian Mennonites moved to Canada (1922-30). At the time, stiff American immigration laws prevented entry for most to the United States. This migration ended once Stalin seized control of the Soviet state. The Soviet Givernment stopped granting exit visas (1930). This of course was just before helaunched the dreadful Ukranianian famine. I am not sure just how they were ffected, but the principal target was the Ukranians of the western Ukraine here nationaslist sentiment was high.

World War II (1940s)

Stalin deported most of the Volkdeutsch to Siberia and Central Asia just before the German invasion (1941). Many were killed or died in the horrible conditions of the transports and conditions in the areas where they were deposited. There were, however, sime Volkdeutsche left in the Ukraine and western Russia. Antipathy toward the Soviet state was understandavle given what the NKVD has done to ethnic Germans. Some of these people cooperated with the Germans in terrible attrocities against both Jews and Slavs. It is likely that Mennonites were not deeply involved in these attrocities as a result of their resistance to military service an apolitical outlook. Also we do not know just what the Whermacht expected or demanded of the ethnic Germans. Religious objection to milkitary service was not accepted in the Reich. Seven Day Adventists in the Reich were arrested and interned in concentration camps for their objdections to military service. As the tide of battle changed, however, theu did retreat with the Wgermacht back to the Reich. Whatever their political ttitudes, they had no illusion as to how Germans, guilty or not guilty, would be treated by Soviet authorities. The long retreat west is called 'The Great Trek' by surviving Mennonites. After the War, the Soviets repatriated about two-thirds of the ethnic German refugees back to the Soviet Union. his was done by force. About 12,000 Mennoites managed to remain in the West. There were also Mennonite families in Germany and Poland that had never moved east to Russia. Many of these people had relatives in Canada and America. About 7,000 of the Russian/Ukranian Mennonites reaching the West migrated to Canada after the War.

Russians: Saskatchewa, Alberta, and British Columbia (1890s-1910s)

Most Russian Mennonites migrated to Manitoba in the three waves described above. Smaller numbers came outside of the najor waves and some settled on the prarie to the west of Manitoba. Russian Mennonites reached Saskatchewan (1890s). Communities include: Rosthern (early 1890s), Osler-Hague (1895), and Swift Current (1904). Mennonites from Manitoba also migrated west to Saskatchewa as well as more Russians after the Bolshevik Revolution and Civil War (1920s) and after World War II (1940s). Jacob Shantz who helped organize the migration to Manitoba (1870s-80s) also arranged for a few families from Ontario to settle in Didsbury, Alberta (1893). A second group from Ontario arrived in Alberta (1901). Mennonites did not reach British Columbia until much later (1911). Most British Columbia Mennonites live in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. They now include some new arivals from Asia.

Sources

Steiner, Sam. President Mennonite Historical Society of Canada. E-mail message, December 14, 2011.

Created: 11:29 PM 12/13/2011
Last updated: 9:59 AM 12/14/2011