Wends

Because the term has been used both specifically for one or two Slavic groups and as an over-arching term (The Franks referred to pretty much all Slavs living between the Oder and Elbe? as either Wends or Sorbs), it is still difficult today to present a coherent picture of the Wends as a people. Here is one possible theory:

Wends are a sub-group of the Sorbs, a Slavic people who moved into Central Europe during the Völkerwanderung, most likely in response to pressure by the westward movement of peoples like Huns, and Avars?. Reportedly, some of their descendants, also called Wends or Lusation Sorbs, are still living in Lusatia? today, where the language is maintained in the schools.

Other Wends, the Kassubian?s, settled between Kolberg and Stolp? in Pomerania. Some spread to West Prussia, west of Danzig. Many had to flee or were expelled when the communists took over the Prussian lands after World War II. Those who remained were homogenized into Polish society.

Many Wends were driven out of 19th century Prussia during the 1848 revolutions. The Prussian (German Imperial) government insist that Wends living in the area give up their language in schools and other public arenas. Moreover, the Wends who wished to continue living in the Empire were compelled to worship the form of Lutheranism preferred by the Germans. A large part of the Wendish population of Prussia emigrated and went to the United States and to other countries like Australia -- countries that welcomed immigrants as a source of cheap labor. In the US, the majority of Wends landed at first in Texas, where they became some of the earliest members of the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran church.

Texas Wends :link :http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu/publications/texansoneandall/wendish.htm]]

/Talk