From Hamburg to America: As millions of people emigrate | NDR.de – History

As of: December 29, 2024 5:00 a.m

Around 1900, Hamburg was one of the most important European emigration ports. Eastern Europeans in particular board a ship here. The destination: America. Between 1850 and 1934 alone, five million emigrants embarked on this journey.

by Janine Kühl

Previously, people mainly used Rotterdam, Antwerp and Le Havre as starting points for crossing the ocean. But as migration flows from Eastern Europe grow, steamship traffic from Hamburg and Bremen to North and South America is increasing rapidly.

Escaping poverty – seeking happiness

The motivation to emigrate is as diverse as the people themselves. In the middle of the 19th century, political reasons predominated, for example after the failed revolution of 1848 in the German states. With increasing industrialization, economic and social hardships come to the fore. Pogroms against Jews in Russia, the threat of military service or a lower place in the inheritance order are driving people away from home.

Entry ban following cholera outbreak

The majority of emigrants are Eastern Europeans who travel to Hamburg by train. But Germans, especially farmers and factory workers, also make their way to the Hanseatic city. From there they travel to America on the steamships of the Hamburg Hapag shipping company, but usually have to wait some time for a free space on board. Given the huge crowds, the city’s private inns are often completely overcrowded. However, emigration experienced a significant turning point in 1892. With that The outbreak of cholera depends on the Hamburg Senate with rigorous entry bans, so that emigrant traffic in the Hanseatic city comes to an abrupt standstill.

This means a big loss for the Hapag shipping company. After negotiations with the Senate, General Director Albert Ballin managed to allow emigrants to enter the Hanseatic city again from 1893. However, emigrants now have to undergo a medical check before they are even allowed to enter the country. The people of Hamburg are particularly suspicious of Russians because they blame them for the outbreak of the major cholera epidemic.

Ballin has the “city within the city” built

The city can hardly cope with the growing number of so-called transit migrants from Eastern Europe. Now Ballin has found a solution that relieves the burden on the lodging houses and the previous barracks, keeps the emigrants out of the city as much as possible and, last but not least, ensures that his ships have excellent capacity utilization. Starting in 1901, the resourceful bargain hunter had several emigrant halls built on the Elbe island of Veddel. The area was continually expanded until 1907. A “city within the city” is emerging. A total of 30 buildings can accommodate up to 5,000 people. Jewish emigrants are specifically recruited. There is a synagogue, their own dormitories and dining rooms where kosher food is served.

Between barracks and “all inclusive” care

The emigrants often stay in the emigrant halls for several weeks before they can finally board a ship. 150 employees ensure that structured everyday life on the site works. For two marks a day, an emigrant gets a bed and three meals. Those wishing to emigrate sleep in relatively spacious dormitories with high ceilings, so that the air here is better than in the old barracks that were previously available to them. A music band and a small shop provide variety. Services in church and synagogue address fears and worries. In addition, religious organizations not only provide pastoral care, but also provide practical help with obtaining documents or with difficulties in communication.

Embarkation only for healthy people

Hygienic controls have a decisive influence on life in the emigrant halls. Immediately after their arrival, emigrants must bathe and undergo a medical examination. The emigrant is only allowed to take his place in the dormitory when his clothing and luggage have been disinfected. There are numerous other visits throughout the stay. Shortly before embarkation, a final health test decides who is actually allowed to embark on the journey. These, as well as coercive measures such as the curfew for certain groups of emigrants, especially Russians, give many people a feeling of barracking. However, protests remain isolated and have no impact.

An annual salary for the crossing

The emigrants are taken on smaller ships for up to 300 people, the so-called tenders, to Stade or Cuxhaven, where they can finally board the overseas steamers. Because of their great draft, the ocean giants cannot travel further up the Elbe. The passage on a steamship usually takes two weeks, later on the express steamers only nine days. The majority of emigrants traveled on the windowless steerage for 160 marks. The sum corresponds roughly to the annual salary of a worker. In return, the steerage passengers get little on offer: poor ventilation, lack of space, moisture and the consequences of seasickness cause problems for people. It can only be used to a limited extent on a deck, and not at all during a storm.

Ellis Island: Entrance gate to the New World

The first destination in the USA is Ellis Island, off New York. Here the emigrants have to undergo further health checks before they are finally allowed to enter the country of their dreams. The prerequisite for entry being refused is to return to your old homeland on the next ship at the shipping company’s expense. In 1907, 48,000 emigrants returned to Hamburg. A small number have been refused entry, but most come voluntarily: they have made a small or large fortune overseas.

From prisoner of war camp to emergency accommodation

192,733 emigrants set off from Hamburg in 1913 – more than ever before. Just a few months later, the outbreak of the First World War stopped emigration. In the mid-1920s, the emigrant halls became the “Überseeheim”. Increased comfort is intended to meet the higher demands of the now mostly German emigrants. In 1934, part of the halls became the property of the SS, and later the entire area was used as a prisoner of war camp. After the war, the buildings served as accommodation for bombed-out Hamburg residents. In 1962 the buildings were demolished, only pavilion no. 13/14 remained standing. A truck stop has had a branch here for many years. At the beginning of the 1980s, a Portuguese restaurant moved into the hall. Almost 100 years after the construction of the emigrant halls, the foundation stone for the “BallinStadt” adventure museum was laid in 2005.