German Immigrants

To this day, Germans are the single largest group of immigrants to the United States, and over a quarter of Americans claim German ancestry. Over seven million German immigrants have been recorded since 1820, when official immigration records began to be kept. Germans immigrated to America primarily for economic reasons, but some Germans also left their homelands in search of religious or political freedom. They were also encouraged by their friends and family who had already found a new life in the United States. Immigrants faced a long and arduous journey before they finally reached American soil. Once they arrived in America, they typically settled in their own communities and entered the work force as skilled workers, bought

Over the past thousand years or so, many immigrants have had countless complications and obstacles while finding their home here in the United States. Migrants tended to have a stigma or stereotype associated with their race, class, or culture. In no way did the United States make it “easy” or “free” whenever the mass of people came to the country. The experiences between the immigration groups of the Chinese, Irish, and Germans over the years show that they have overcome prejudice through their work.

From the 1900s, the Progressive Era had new immigrants from the Southern and Eastern Europe. Between the years of 1900 and 1930, one million immigrants who were Mexican migrated for economic opportunities. It was near the year of the great depression which started in 1929. This led the American dream for many immigrants who were looking for jobs and starting a new life. According to Eric Foner “ Voices of Freedom” , page 73, when sociologist Manuel Gamio managed interviews of Mexican-American immigrants in Los Angeles. He decided to report about the Santella family, one better off and “whiter” than most Mexican immigrants. The information he obtained were from conversations and observing the family. This gave some idea on why American freedom has inspired many immigrant families. The Santella family was a total of 9, Mr. Santella and his wife and 5 boys and 2 girls.

The increasing fear of crime and terrorism in the world is persuading many Americans that the country should close its door. But what about the fact that this country itself was founded by the immigrants? American journey of success would have not been possible without the generations of immigrants who have come to its shores from every corner of the world. I believe immigrants are a positive influence on America because they strengthen the country’s economy, allow people of America to learn about different cultures, languages and ideas, and shapes how the world views America.

Throughout the 1930s, Germany went under the control of the anti-Semitic Nazi Party and its leader, Adolf Hitler. “I could see the danger, being so close to Hitler and the Nazi's in Munich. Many of my school friends, former school friends, were becoming big Nazi's.” (Lowen) Most Germans did not agree with this form of ideology and could see the danger that would come of it so, in strong opposition to the system, they left the country. The Germans who opposed to the changes or the country but didn’t leave were either, forced to leave, held in concentration camps, or put to death. The transition for Germans from Nazi Germany to America--in obligation to the fact that they were German-- was fairly easy, even with the lowering exception of

German immigrants have been a significant part of U.S. history since colonial times. Throughout Old Immigration, they were one of the leading immigrant groups, along with the Irish. In addition, many German Americans settled in Pittsburgh, influencing our city as well as the entire United States. German immigrants to the U.S. were, and still are significant for many reasons, including their religious and social activism, their unique culture, and the many hardships they faced here.

German and Irish immigrants made up two of the largest immigrant groups in the 19th century. The immigration experience of the Germans and Irish shown through Ironweed, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, Hold Dear, As Always Jette, Immigrant Voices, and Second Fatherland displayed several similarities and differences between each group’s immigration experience. The Germans and Irish similarly went through Americanization by living in communities made up of their own ethnic group. Also, the role of women was similar in both communities; women took care of the children and maintained the house. They both faced serious disease in both of their communities and were not considered American until later on. However, there were many ways that the German

Our nation is a nation of immigrants. The first settlers here (that is, after the Native Americans) were those from Western Europe, seeking religious freedom. The next wave of immigrants left Europe, filled American cities and pushed back the frontier; they were seeking the new American Dream. The Asian and eastern European immigrants sought labor, prosperity and a new start. Following the end of the immigration pause in the mid1960’ s, immigration has steadily increased and the number of persons entering the United States is close to its highest level since the turn of the century.ii

Writers from colonial times referred to the German immigrants as honest to the bone, frugal with their money and hard working past sunset. In fact, German businessmen on William Penn's new land seldom kept track of accounts. As sure as the moon would rise, their neighbors would settle their accounts in fair time. Many Germans understood the power of discipline and logic. They transformed waste lands into productive farms; a new country rose from the forests. The German immigrants never preached violence, considered injustice a moral failure and worshiped god in their frontier churches.

Immigrants are human beings who want a better life. They bravely risk their lives and safety, are often exploited, tolerate extreme weather conditions, face strange cultures, discrimination, and local hostilities. They cope with loneliness and alienation. Sometimes immigrants come to the U.S. without any money and no prospects. “Most of the people I know in the United States have no friends here; they’re crowded together in apartments. They’re cold; they’re lonely, they’re worn” (Diaz 62). U.S. citizens and immigrants both have the same experiences when they move to different places. But the real reason is prosperity. The desire for a better life somewhere other than the current residence and this country offers that better life they wish

As time has passed, a large number of foreigners have entered into this nation, the United States still keeps an inviting demeanour towards new immigrants. The famous American politician James lankford states “Our nation stands at the crossroads of liberty. Crushing national debt, rampant illegal immigration, insane business regulations and staggering national unemployment are pushing our nation into unchartered territory.”(Lankford, April 2017). Rushing to this nation, by the thousands immigrants over a wide span of time have travelled to this nation to live “The American Dream”. The America is known to have the concept of “Life, Freedom and Pursuit of Happiness. Desperate to be a piece of the blasting American culture, thousands upon thousands

The Germans immigrated to the United States mainly in the 1850’s-1880’s. German peasants would receive free passage to America but would be required to work for a businessman for 4-7 years to repay the cost of the voyage. The population boomed in the Americans, and the population depleted in large amounts in Germany. In the 1850’s, around 1 million people immigrated to the US from Germany. Then in the 1870’s, around 723 thousand Germans came. In the final major wave, in the 1880’s, around 1.445 million Germans immigrated to the New World. In a total of 30 years, that is a total of 3 million Germans. There way of getting to the America’s, was by boat. In the 1850's small farmers and their families left southwestern Germany. Soon after, artisans

As we covered in our workshop America has had a large population of Germans for a very long time. While we were discussing German immigration and emigration, the question that stuck out to me was how did the views of the other groups in America effect how the Germans were accepted and viewed in the United States. Different times and issues have changed how Germans were viewed in America, for example both world wars and the following strong anti-German stance. While these times of strong emotion often change people’s outlook, I would argue that the positive or more neutral impression of German immigrants compared to other immigrant groups, helped Germans settle in America. While times of strong emotion often change people’s outlook, German immigrants with their slightly positive or more neutral stereotypes or ideas, helped Germans settle in America with fewer problems than other immigrants.

Out of all the stories told throughout history, from caves to computers, never has there been one more dramatically scripted as the tale of the United States of America and her immigrants. Like a Shakespearean tragedy that never ends, this story is full of romantic plots dating back to its inception: with a heroic plight of a nation borne by gun-blazing revolution and glory; fueled by the brave journeys of immigrants, dreams, and a future paved in golden freedom. Unfortunately, tragic as its nature, this narrative has panned out awkwardly—seemingly worsened century by century. In present day America, the topic of immigrants, and immigration, is not a completely delightful one, but of politics and

Germany is quite accepting of immigrants and they are very welcoming. Germany has the second largest immigrant population in Europe, United Kingdom is the largest. Immigrants have contributed greatly to the prosperity of the German economy. A representative study shows that “foreign workers in Germany significantly contribute to the Bundesrepublik’s prosperity” (Lorenz, 2017). At any rate, the German economy is suffering from labour shortage and is urgently in need of immigrants to “counter an ageing demographic”. Germany” needs its immigrants to be doing much more than making doner kebabs — it needs them in its banks, its government offices, universities, and IT companies” (Sampath, 2016). Based on data from the OECD and the German statistics office, the study shows that Germany’s cultural diversity happens to be a major contributor to its economic success. Immigrants make up “9.6% of the population and one in five Germans has a migration background. The fact that Germany’s immigration rate is so high only tells half the story though” (Lorenz, 2017). The number of foreign specialists in Germany’s main industries is what really stresses the importance of immigration. Studies have proven that “relatively poor performing Bundesländer, with fewer foreign workers, could positively influence innovation and economic success by attracting talented personnel from abroad” (Lorenz, 2017). Also, as stated by Movinga, “the impressive number of companies with risk capital and the number