Why Did Icelanders Immigrate to Canada? Economic Crisis & Volcanic Disaster
The primary driver of Icelandic emigration to Canada (1870s–1914) was a devastating convergence of economic collapse and environmental catastrophe in Iceland.
Core Causes
| Factor | Details |
|---|
| Economic Depression | Danish trade monopoly (ended 1854) left fragile economy; price collapse for wool, fish, mutton; merchant debt peonage |
| Volcanic Eruptions | Askja 1875: massive ash fall → fluorosis in livestock, pasture destruction, famine |
| Climate Deterioration | Little Ice Age peak: cold summers, sea ice blocks harbors, shortened growing season |
| Population Pressure | Population doubled 1800–1870 (72K→130K); limited arable land (1% of surface) |
Migration Pattern
- First wave (1870s–1880s): ~15,000 (15% of population!) — "The Great Migration"
- Destination: Initially Wisconsin, Minnesota; then Manitoba (New Iceland) from 1875
- New Iceland: Lake Winnipeg west shore (Gimli, Riverton, Arborg) — reserve granted by Canada
- Later: North Dakota, Washington State, Alberta, Saskatchewan
Canadian Pull Factors
- Dominion Lands Act (1872): 160 acres free homestead
- Active recruitment (Canadian agents in Iceland)
- Steamship lines (Allan Line, CPR) with direct Glasgow–Quebec routes
- Icelandic community leaders (Jón Bjarnason, Sigtryggur Jónasson) organized groups
Legacy
- Manitoba Icelandic Festival (Íslendingadagurinn) — Annual since 1890 (Gimli)
- University of Manitoba: Icelandic Department (only one in North America)
- Population: ~100,000 Canadians of Icelandic descent (2021 census)
- Notable descendants: Authors (W.D. Valgardson), politicians, artists
Wanderlust World