SS Unit 3: Ohio's Cultural Diversity

Unit 3: I can explain how the population of the United States has changed over time and how this is reflected in Ohio’s own population.

By Albert Wilhelmy

Immigrant Communities

By 1850 Ohio had the third-largest population in the country. Some people came from other states. The areas in northern Ohio known as the Western Reserve and the Firelands were settled mostly by people from New York and states in New England. Many people from Virginia and Kentucky came to live in areas of southern Ohio.

Some immigrants came to Ohio from Europe because of poor harvests or for religious freedom. Many brought their customs, although some were happy to leave their difficult lives behind.

Multiple Choice

By 1850, Ohio had the __________ largest population in the United States.

• 2nd

• 3rd

• 4th

• 5th

Multiple Select

Immigrants from Europe came to Ohio for many different reasons, but two of them included....

• Bad Harvests

• Religious Freedom

• Cheaper Food Prices

• Public Transportation

Settlers from Germany

Many Germans came to Ohio to work on the new canals and railroads. Soon they were forming new cities, like Lancaster, where signs were printed in both German and English. By 1817 so many Germans had arrived that Ohio’s laws and constitution were printed in both languages. Most German communities had their own churches, clubs, and newspapers. One small group of German immigrants settled in Zoar. The Zoar settlers gave all their property to the community and believed in the equality of men and women.

Multiple Select

Many Germans came to Ohio to work on the new ________ and __________.

• canals

• railroads

• steamboat factories

• Cleveland Browns Stadium

A Better Life for Africans

Many Africans who had once been enslaved saw Ohio as a land of promise. Freed blacks often came to Ohio to work. Many white Ohioans feared that Africans might take away jobs. In 1804 Ohio lawmakers passed Black Laws to discourage Africans from living in Ohio.

Multiple Choice

In 1804 Ohio lawmakers passed the Black Laws to _________________________________________

• Discourage African Americans from moving to Ohio

• Encourage immigrants to settle in Ohio

• Support Agriculture

• Discourage African Americans from moving to the South

Multiple Choice

Many white Ohioans feared that Africans might take away their _________.

• jobs

• homes

• farms

• citizenship

More About the Black Laws

The Black Laws prohibited, or did not allow, Africans from holding certain jobs. These harsh laws were changed 'in 1849, but blacks still faced severe discrimination, or unfair treatment.

Religion in Early Ohio

Immigrants came to Ohio and brought with them many different religions. Many were also seeking religious freedom.

Circuit riders, or preachers on horseback, traveled from community to community. Sometimes circuit riders held camp meetings, or outdoor gatherings led by preachers trying to win new believers.

​Many Religions

Most immigrants were Protestant Christians who belonged to smaller groups such as Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, and others. Roman Catholic Christians, who were mostly German and Irish workers, also set up communities in Ohio. Their first church, dedicated to St. Joseph, was built in Somerset in 1818. The photo shows the 3rd church of St. Joseph that was built on the site of the original church.

Multiple Choice

Most immigrants in Ohio were ________________________.

• Protestant Christians

• Muslim

• Amish

• Quakers

​Amish, Mennonites, and Quakers

The Amish and Mennonites settled mainly in Wayne and Holmes Counties. They believed in living in traditional ways.

A group that was strongly against slavery was called the Quakers, or Society of Friends. They settled in eastern Ohio.

Multiple Select

The Amish and Mennonites live throughout parts of Ohio. They are different than most Ohioans because they live in more traditional ways, meaning they do not use any modern technology. Select the pictures below that illustrate a tool the Amish would use today.

Multiple Choice

The Quakers were strongly against the idea of fighting. They were also very much against the practice of slavery. Quakers were known as the _________________________________.

• Society of Friends

• Community of Comrades

• Village of Nice Folks

• Citizens of Hope

​Shakers

Shaker is another name for the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing.  The name Shaker came from the energetic way they worshipped.  The group broke away from the Society of Friends to start their own church.  The first group of Shakers came to the United States in 1774.  A Shaker colony was formed in 1822 on the east side of Cleveland in what is now known as Shaker Heights.  They grew to a prosperous community of 200 people.  The Shakers were hard-working people who, like the German immigrants in Zoar, shared all their property with the community.  At first they sold produce and handmade furniture to nearby communities.  Cleveland’s mass production industries eventually put them out of business.  The colony broke apart in 1889.  The Shakers are remembered for their simple lifestyle and ideas of equality among men, women, and different races.

Multiple Choice

The Shakers are remembered for their simple lifestyle and ideas of _________ among men, women, and different races.

• segregation

• discrimination

• equality

• separation

Judaism

Jewish immigrants moved into Ohio as the state evolved in the early 1800s.  The National Road, canals, and eventually the railroad opened the west for settlement and opportunity.  Ohio’s first documented Jewish immigrant was a watchmaker named Joseph Jonas.  He settled in Cincinnati in 1817.  Seven year later, he helped open the first Jewish congregation, Bene Israel, in Cincinnati.  Followers of the Jewish faith worship in a synagogue.  Prior to 1860, five more Jewish communities were founded:  Columbus, Dayton, Hamilton, Picqua, and Portsmouth.

Multiple Choice

Followers of the Jewish faith worship in a ____________.

• synagogue

• church

• temple

• steeple

Mormons

Kirtland, in northeastern Ohio, was home to a group of dedicated Christians in the 1830s.  The Kirtland Temple was the first temple for the followers of Joseph Smith, who organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormons.  The members of this religion later moved to Missouri, where they were persecuted for their beliefs, and eventually became the Mormon Pioneers who trekked westward in covered wagons to settle in Utah.  Some stayed behind in Ohio and called themselves the Community of Christ.