Social activities of Lithuanian American entrepreneurs in the late nineteenth - early twentieth century

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Lietuviai Jungtinėse Amerikos Valstijose; Emigracija; Verslas; Visuomeninė veikla; Organizacinė veikla; Lithuanians in the United States; Emigration; Business; Social activities; Organizational activities.

ENLithuanian entrepreneurs in the USA, as well as Lithuanians in their mother country, were actively involved in social life, and founded or contributed to the already operating societies. With their financial capital, they often managed to consolidate their leadership, which manifested itself through their political-social capital. Lithuanian entrepreneurs also contributed to the establishment of church parishes. This was dictated not only by the personal views of each of them, but also emigration difficulties, since for a long time the Church was at the same time a place for socialization. Businessmen donated money for cultural matters; and a variety of different events, operas, and performances were arranged owing to charity. Offerings were also allotted for mutual aid, the activities of societies, and to support their fellow countrymen in ethnographic Lithuania. They had developed this public-spiritedness while living in the American environment where there is a tradition of donating and supporting; however, a Church education and each man's ethical choice had a significant influence on this as well. [Extract, p. 39]