In the early 20th century, the Amish split. The automobile and electricity forced a choice.
Cause
1900-1920: technological revolution reached farms. Neighbors (non-Amish) buy cars, connect electricity. Yields grow. Amish farmers falling behind? Or holding to principles?
Groups
Old Order: no to cars, no to electricity. Period. Majority. Beachy Amish: Moses Beachy (1927) — yes to cars, yes to electricity, but still plain dress and German. New Order: 1960s compromise: electricity for farm (not entertainment), barn phone, but buggy stays. Amish-Mennonite: left entirely — became Mennonites.
How They Split
Peacefully. No wars, no lawsuits. Community votes. Dissenters leave and found their own. No violence. This matters: Amish split but don't fight. 330 years without a single armed conflict.
Today
40+ subgroups. From Swartzentruber (no reflectors on buggy) to Beachy (Toyota and iPhone). All call themselves Amish. All read the same Bible. But Swartzentruber won't sit at a table with Beachy.