
30/07/2024
For almost 300 years, the Amish have lived in a similar way without much change, since 27 families first came and settled in Pennsylvania in 1737. Some of the first persecutions they faced in America started during World War 1. English speaking Americans didn't like that they spoke a dialect of German known as Pennsylvania Dutch and because of the war with N**i Germany the German language was frowned upon. Also many young Amish boys were imprisoned for refusing to be drafted to fight in the war due to their strong beliefs, being non-resistant or conscientious objectors to war.
The world around them has changed drastically, threatening their very existence and lifestyle. New laws are passed yearly in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana that put the Amish in jeopardy of prosecution and even jail time. Laws against home schooling have put parents in jail and have had children removed from parents’ custody. Amish midwives have been imprisoned. Farmers have been arrested for selling raw milk and fresh meats from the farm, jailed for not having a license plate on a buggy, and homes have been condemned for not having indoor plumbing. One Amish man in Kentucky was imprisoned for making and selling a chickweed salve. The Old Order Amish to this day still do not believe in accepting government aid or help and do not have social security numbers.