The Pennsylvania Dutch (perhaps more strictly Pennsylvania Deitsch or Pennsylvanian German) are descendants of German speaking immigrants who came to Pennsylvania in the early 1700's. Pennsylvania Dutch were historically speakers of the Pennsylvania German language. They are a people of various religious affiliations, often of Anabaptist origins, living primarily in southeastern Pennsylvania (but sometimes in adjacent states like Maryland and Virginia), with cultural traditions dating back to the German immigrations to America in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Despite the name, the people are not from the Netherlands, but rather are from various parts of southwest Germany, Alsace and Switzerland. The word "Dutch" here is left over from an archaic sense of the English word, which once referred to all people speaking a West Germanic language on the European mainland.

Many Pennsylvania Dutch, but definitely not all, are descendants of refugees from the Palatinate of the Rhine. For example, most Amish and Mennonite came to the Palatinate and surrounding areas from Switzerland, and so their stay in the Palatinate was of limited duration. However, for the majority of the Pennsylvania Dutch, their roots go much further back in the Palatinate. During the War of the Grand Alliance (1689-97), French troops, under King Louis XIV, pillaged the Palatinate, forcing many Germans to flee. The War of the Palatinate (as it was called in Germany), also called the War of Augsburg, began in 1688 as Louis took claim of the Palatinate, and all major cities of Cologne were decimated. By 1697 the war came to a close with the Treaty of Ryswick, and the Palatinate remained free of French control. However, by 1702, the War of the Spanish Succession began lasting until 1713. French expansionism forced many Palatines to flee as refugees.

Mass emigration of Palatines began out of Germany. In the spring of 1709, Queen Anne had granted refuge to about 7,000 Palatines who had sailed the Rhine to Rotterdam. From here about 3,000 were sent to America either directly, or through England, bound for William Penn’s colony. The remaining refugees were sent to England to strengthen the Protestant presence in the county. By 1710, large groups of Palatines had sailed from London, the last group of which was bound for New York. There were 3,200 Palatines on 12 ships that sailed for New York and approximately 470 died en route to America. In New York, under the new Governor, Robert Hunter, Palatines worked for British authorities and produced tar and pitch for the Royal Navy in return for their safe passage. They also served as a buffer between the French and Natives on the frontier and the English colonies. In 1723, some 33 Palatine families, humiliated under Governor Hunter’s rule, migrated from Schoharie, NY, to Tupelhocken, Berks County, PA, where other Palatines has settled.

Recently due to loss of the Pennsylvania German language in many communities, as well as to intermarriage and increased mobility, especially in the more secular communities, Pennsylvania Dutch ethnic consciousness is often very low, especially among younger Pennsylvania Dutch. Many young Pennsylvania Dutch consider themselves only descendants of Pennsylvania Dutch and it is not part of their personal identity. In some communities the Pennsylvania Dutch name is reserved only for members of the Amish and traditional Mennonite communities. For example, Amish youth who do not join the Amish church are even said to "go English" in which case they may switch their identity from Pennsylvania Dutch to English. Many plain sects are also bi or trilingual speaking "dutch" or vernacular german to each other, while practicing european or "High" german in church and formal functions. All plain sects also speak english when dealing in the outside or english world (business, etc.)

• Amish
• Mennonite
• Hans Herr
• Schwenkfeldian
• Old German Baptist Brethren
• Rumspringa
• Pennsylvania German language
• Hex signs
• Pennsylvania Dutch Country
• Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine

• The Pennsylvania German Society
• Lancaster County tourism website
• Overview of Pennsylvania German Culture]

• Deitscherei.org - Fer der Deitsch Wandel
• Hiwwe wie Driwwe - The Pennsylvania German Newspaper
• Pennsylvania German Encyclopedia