Who are the Pennsylvania Dutch? (2024)

FAQs

Who are the Pennsylvania Dutch? ›

The Pennsylvania Dutch, also known as Pennsylvania Germans, are a group of German-speakers who settled in Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries. Despite their name, they are not Dutch but rather of Swiss and German descent, with their language and culture heavily influenced by their European roots.

So, in the end, being Pennsylvania Dutch doesn't necessarily equate to being Amish, even though they share some cultural practices and traditions. In a nutshell, the Amish are a specific religious group with strict rules. The Pennsylvania Dutch are a cultural group with varying religious beliefs and lifestyles.

The Pennsylvania Germans or Pennsylvania Dutch – the terms are equivalent – are the descendants of German-speaking emigrants who settled in Pennsylvania beginning in 1683, with the founding of Germantown, and continuing to about 1815 to 1820, the close of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.

The traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cherish the family and take pride in their homes. Each family member is important to the survival of a self-sustaining house- hold. The father is the central figure in the family, making important decisions concerning the finances and educa tion.

The Pennsylvania Dutch are the descendants of approximately 80,000 people who emigrated from areas of present-day Germany and Switzerland, primarily between 1683 and 1775. Scholars use the terms Pennsylvania Dutch and Pennsylvania German interchangeably to describe these people, their language and culture.

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There are similarities between the German dialect that is still spoken in this small part of southwestern Germany and Pennsylvania Dutch. When individuals from the Palatinate (Pfalz) region of Germany today encounter Pennsylvania Dutch speakers, conversation is often possible to a limited degree.

Religion. The Pennsylvania Dutch maintained numerous religious affiliations; the greatest number are Lutheran or German Reformed with a lesser number of Anabaptists, including Mennonites, Amish, and Brethren.

Their ancestors were mainly from the Palatinate of the southern Rhineland in Germany. The Palatinate was a significant area of contention during the Thirty Years' War, which pitted the French against the Holy Roman Empire regarding the issue of Protestantism.

Most of the earliest Amish arrivals came from the Swiss/Alsace region and brought their traditions and mother tongue with them. Generations of living apart from other communities have kept their heritage intact. Therefore the Amish can indeed be said to be primarily Swiss German people.

What is Pennsylvania Dutch country known for? ›

Explore Lancaster County, PA and find the oldest Amish communities in the country. There are lots of things to do in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Create priceless memories of the expected – farmlands, family style feasts and the Amish. But also the unexpected – city life, exquisite cuisine and contemporary art.

The Pennsylvania Dutch are a group of English-speaking people who descended from German immigrants. The Amish are a subset of the Pennsylvania Dutch that live in rural areas and practice a simple lifestyle.

Yes, Pennsylvania Dutch is different from Dutch. Pennsylvania Dutch is a Germanic language derived from German dialects, while Dutch is a West Germanic language spoken in the Netherlands. The name "Pennsylvania Dutch" is a misnomer; it's not related to the Dutch language.

In all, some 65,000 German-speaking immigrants settled in Pennsylvania prior to the American Revolution. Some German migrants fled intolerance and persecution, and others sought the economic and social freedom imbued in William Penn's promise of toleration.

Religion. The Pennsylvania Dutch maintained numerous religious affiliations; the greatest number are Lutheran or German Reformed with a lesser number of Anabaptists, including Mennonites, Amish, and Brethren.

The Amish, often called “the Plain people” for their modest dress and simple lifestyle, are members of a Protestant Christian group that first came to Pennsylvania in the early 1700s seeking religious freedom.

All Amish identify as Christians and regard the Bible as the word of God. On the other hand, Quakers practice "the inner light," which emphasizes the importance of following one's conscience and intuition. Not all Quakers identify as Christians. Some see themselves as members of a universal religion.

Prior to emigration to America, Anabaptists in Europe were divided between those of Dutch/North German and Swiss/South German background. At first, the Dutch/North German group took their name from Menno Simons, who led them in their early years. Later the Swiss/South German group also adopted the name "Mennonites".