Jižní cesta emigrantů z habsburské monarchie do USA
The Southern Passage of Emigrants from the Habsburg Monarchy to North America

Summary/Abstract: Mass emigration from Europe to North America was increasing during the whole 19th century. Originally, the Habsburg Monarchy attempted to solve a vast surplus of labour force by inner migration, however the desire forfreedom and an effort to improve the life standards of Monarchy’s inhabitants was stronger. Since 1870s, Austrian-Hungarian emigrants began to take place at the top of a number of emigrants coming to the United States of America where demand for labour force was high in that period of time. The transfer of inhabitants also forwarded a development of ports and sailing companies. In the territory of Monarchy, this fact was particularly connected with ports in Terst and Rijeka where two significant sailing companies Austro-Americana and Cunard Line worked. Both ports have been developing under the similar historical conditions, however, despite a short distance between them, many differences occurred. Sailing companies early began to compete for passengers who travelled across the Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, they had to face up to German rivals – shipping companies called HAPAG and Nordeutsche Lloyd. Furthermore, the mass development of emigration from the Danube monarchy was also supported by benevolentness of laws. The Austrian government enabled free emigration and limited the movement of their inhabitants only a little. And lastly, advertisement of sailing companiesraised the interest of people for oversea voyage, where they started a new life or returned back much wealthier.

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