NEKA BITNA OBILJEŽJA AMERIČKOG FRATERNALIZMA
SOME IMPORTANT FEATURES OF AMERICAN FRATERNALISM

Summary/Abstract: American fraternalism belongs to the strongest social movements in the history of the United States of America. Its basic program is individual and family insurance in case of illness or death. However, within the framework of fraternalist institutions various social, cultural and political activities have developed. Those who most deserve credit for the development of the fraternalist movement are immigrants into the USA. Through fraternalist institutions they were able to incorporate their cultural heritage into the American mosaic of nations. The Slav immigrants, and among them Croats, had their strong and numerous fraternalist institutions wherefromthey fought for afirmation of their ethnic communities in the new American society, but also provided economic and political support for their people in the old country in their fight for national freedom. Owing to such work, American fraternalism has retained its importance among immigrants up to the present day. And therefore, this year the largest Croatian emigrant organization, the Croatian Fraternai Union, is celebrating its centennial.

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