Sixty million Americans have their origins in German-speaking countries. While 47 Million claim German Heritage, being America’s largest ethnic group, yet less than 1.4 million claiming to actually speak the language. The Germans made a significant mark on America’s cultural, business, and public life for centuries until their identity fell victim to feelings of shame and repression during and after two World Wars. But their achievements are still the basis for much of American culture.

While most Germans were economic refugees and the three main ports of entry for them were NYC- Philadelphia and New Orleans. Many would eventually migrate during the 1800s, to areas like Texas, learning to adapt to the harsh surrounding they found themselves in. The grain they brought with them would not grown in this soil, therefore learning from natives how to grow sweet potatoes and corn, eating Tortillas instead of dark Rye Break. Meanwhile, further immigrant trains continually arrived and pushed north, putting pressure on both the existing farms and the native population, notably the proud and warlike Comanches ( Natives).

As the whites began destroying the buffalo herds on which the Natives existence depended on, tensions increased. There were killings on both sides. In May 1847, the governor of Texas (by then the 28th state in the Union) told the Germans settlers,they would have to move elsewhere.

The germans offered the Comanches $3,000 in return for the right to settle the area and live in peace. The two peoples would coexist as brothers, as it was assured.

The treaty allowed settlers to go unharmed into Indian territory and the Indians to go to the white settlements, and promised mutual reports on wrongdoing. It opened more than 3 million acres of land to settlement. To distinguish themselves from the Yankee settlers whom the Native Americans hated and feared, the Germans were told to  rauchen (smoke) pipes while in their fields. That way they were safe from attack.

To this day, the 1847 Meusebach-Comanche Treaty is believed to be the sole pact between whites and Native Americans that has never been broken. But it did not stop there, where- ever Germans went they developed printing press and Zeitung (Newspapers). Benjamin Franklin was no exception, even he printed a German Newspaper, the Philadelphia Zeitung, it printed within a year, though many more newspapers would be more successful. The New York had four German- Language dailies, which was more then the Berlin at the time, the NY staats-Zeitung had over 60.000 readers!!

However when the first world war started, opinions towards Ethnic germans became so bad, Eltern (parents) would forbid their children to speak German outside of the house, anyone with a German Name was subject to harassment, German Language was forbidden in several schools and german Books were burned on the Street, Names would be Anglicized and heritage was suppressed in order to show their Patriotism towards America!

 

 

Today, many people seek their heritage, we ask what our great Grandparents came from, what hardship they endured. And how even Germans in the 21 century cope with change.

That no matter what, we will always carry a German Accent, we can’t pronounce certain words that might seem obvious to English Speakers, coming to a different land is not always a magical golden path to the wanderer, learning new languages but also the cultural aspect has a profound effect on a person, both positive and negative.

Relocating to a new environment can be compared to a tropical plant that is suddenly forced to bloom in a empty barren land, though eventually finding the needed water to survive with much endurance and strength.

At first, a Mensch (person) who comes to a new country does not know what food or personal products to  Kaufen (buy), will I be buying hair shampoo or Hair conditioner? 

The cakes and sweets are much sweeter then back home, they usually don’t eat breakfast at the table here?. Coffee is served mostly in paper cups, and oddly much paper and plastic is used in the first place.

Why is everything large, especially the (Häuser)houses and Autos? We can walk, what are the directions? yet locals observe you as if you have become irrational in behavior to walk 5 miles.

There are more Gas stations and fast food chains then anywhere else.

What is the difference between “He” and “she” ?

Many Europeans whom come to america have  Schwierigkeiten (difficulties) in many aspects of the daily life. The habits we are used to auf einmal (suddenly) needs to be changed. If children are involved the situations can be even more complicated, while there are private German Schulen (schools) in the US these days, they  are more costly then regular schools, it is also stressful for the Eltern (parents) to show strength for a child when you yourself struggle with many things of your new Umgebung (surrounding). yet it shapes the Human form and society, we are picking up lost pieces and celebrating our heritage, no matter what it might be! 

What profound effect did relocating to the US have on you?

Did you continue and teach your children of German culture and habits? Have your Grandparents or parents ever told of stories and their experiences? 

 

 

 

 

rauchen- Smoke

 

Eltern- Parents

 

kaufen- Purchace/buy

 

Häuser- Houses

 

Schwierigkeiten- Difficulties

 

Schulen- Schools

 

Auf einmal- Suddenly

 

Umgebung- Surrounding