Examine the Evolution of German American Identity in Nineteenth Century America.
Examine the evolution of the German American identity in nineteenth century America.
The German American identity of the 19th century is one that evolved as the century progressed. The German American population was seen as being beneficial to the American economy as this ethnic group was considered to be skillful and hard working. In the early 19th century, both the social and political stance of Germans was vastly different in comparison to their position at the turn of the century. Initially, “Germans in America were desperate not to be Americanized and so in order to protect their German identity they isolated themselves within entire German communities . . . avoiding American political and social affairs.” However “The Germans found it hard after 1848 to remain unassimilated” The revolution of 1848 sought to create a more democratic Germany with the establishment of human rights. After it’s failures, the United States saw an influx of a well-educated, respected German population who would later seek to influence the American political and social stance. It is after this key date that the German identity would be transformed to one that would actively seek to put forth their perspectives.
What did remain constant throughout the 19th century was the invaluable contribution put forth by German Americans in industrializing the United States. For this reason, Germans were identified as a positive immigrant group in regards to the ever-expanding American economy. “American cities were just beginning to industrialize and modernize and could use the crafts and skills that Germans brought. They fit well into the new urban industrializing economy.” For economic growth to occur, an economy must have access to all of the factors of production, these being land, labour, capital and enterprise. The American economy had access to plentiful amounts of land as well as capital and enterprise. Nevertheless, a skilled workforce was in short supply as many European
The German American identity of the 19th century is one that evolved as the century progressed. The German American population was seen as being beneficial to the American economy as this ethnic group was considered to be skillful and hard working. In the early 19th century, both the social and political stance of Germans was vastly different in comparison to their position at the turn of the century. Initially, “Germans in America were desperate not to be Americanized and so in order to protect their German identity they isolated themselves within entire German communities . . . avoiding American political and social affairs.” However “The Germans found it hard after 1848 to remain unassimilated” The revolution of 1848 sought to create a more democratic Germany with the establishment of human rights. After it’s failures, the United States saw an influx of a well-educated, respected German population who would later seek to influence the American political and social stance. It is after this key date that the German identity would be transformed to one that would actively seek to put forth their perspectives.
What did remain constant throughout the 19th century was the invaluable contribution put forth by German Americans in industrializing the United States. For this reason, Germans were identified as a positive immigrant group in regards to the ever-expanding American economy. “American cities were just beginning to industrialize and modernize and could use the crafts and skills that Germans brought. They fit well into the new urban industrializing economy.” For economic growth to occur, an economy must have access to all of the factors of production, these being land, labour, capital and enterprise. The American economy had access to plentiful amounts of land as well as capital and enterprise. Nevertheless, a skilled workforce was in short supply as many European
Bibliography: Holli, Melvin G., German-American Ethnic Identity from 1890 Onward: The Chicago Case (Henceforth Holli) The Great Lakes Review, Vol. 11, No. 1 (Spring, 1985), Honeck, Mischa. We Are the Revolutionists. German-Speaking Immigrants and American Abolitionists After 1848 (Henceforth, Honeck), University of Georgia Press, 2011 [ 2 ]. Hawgood, John A., The Tragedy of German-America: The Germans in the United States of America During the Nineteenth Century and After (Henceforth Hawgood), Arno Press, 1970 [ 3 ] [ 4 ]. Honeck, Mischa. We Are the Revolutionists. German-Speaking Immigrants and American Abolitionists After 1848 (Henceforth, Honeck), University of Georgia Press, 2011, P.18