The Greek-Americans and Balkan Wars 1912-13

Helping the old homeland

Abstract

This study is about the reception and preparation of the Greek-American community to the Balkan Wars 1912-13 which also raised the issue of ethnic identity and divided loyalties between the old homeland and the adopted one. The Greeks, who migrated to the U.S during the period 1880-1910, were very anxious to maintain their ethnic identity and close ties with the old homeland (patrida) in a hostile environment dominated by sentiments of xenophobia and racial prejudice.