America’s first ‘refugee’ crisis’: the repatriation of stranded Americans from Europe at the outbreak of the First World War

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the early twentieth century, millions of passengers crossed the North Atlantic. The vast majority were migrants relocating to North America or returning to Europe; less known is the growing number of tourists comprising predominantly of affluent Americans heading for Europe. Organising this vast passenger traffic was a sophisticated and self-regulated passenger business dominated by British and German companies and organised in ‘shipping conferences’ (cartels). The sudden outbreak of war in 1914 caused severe disruption in the transatlantic passenger business, leaving many American tourists stranded in Europe. This article explores the little-known story of the shipping companies’ key role in repatriating these tourists to their homeland during the first months of the war.