German Immigrants In The United States 5/19/17 Grace Wilcox The political turmoil in Germany during the 1850s to 1860 brought millions of Germans to the United States for the abundance of cheap land, influx of oils and welcoming immigrant opportunities. Half of Ireland's population traveled to the United States because of famine and poor economy. The same amount of Germans immigrated also. They eagerly joined the workforce and built homes along the midwest. Settled in their own communities most kept their native language. In Pennsylvania German Americans were confused for Dutch because the word “German” in the German language is “Deutsch”. In some areas where there was a large German influence schools started incorporating the language. By the end of the century two million Germans were living in the United States. My 3rd great grandparents, Johanne Therese Kruger, Friedrich August Wolf (great great grandfather’s parents), Robert Voss and Anna Wilhelmina Gertrude Krug (great great grandmother’s parents) all came to America around the same time between 1868-1875. This was a little before when immigration from Germany peaked in 1882. I am of the 9.1% of people that have German ancestry in Vermont. With so many Irish and Germans coming to America, hostility started against them. It was partially because most of the immigrants were Roman Catholic. Another reason they were not liked was because Germans were willing to work for almost nothing to survive. That took the lower paying jobs which angered Americans. Most of these immigrants supported democracy because it supported commoners which also could have influenced people to look at them with hostility. Signs that read “NINA” abbreviated for No Irish Need Apply were found along the country. Rioting began in some parts of the nation. A political protest in 1844 in Philadelphia led to fighting in the streets and left 16 people killed, dozens injured and over 4o buildings demolished. An Anti-Catholic group called the ‘Know Nothings’ wanted to extend the amount of time it took for immigrants to become citizens and voters. They also wanted to prevent foreign born people from ever being in office. Today there are 4.8 million European immigrants in the U.S.. The highest single ethnic group in the United States is German American. 46 million people claim German ancestry more than the number of people whose ancestors were from Ireland (33 million) or England (25 million). One of the highest concentrated German American populated areas in the U.S. is Maricopa, Arizona and Germantown, Philadelphia. The “German belt” spreads across eastern Pennsylvania to the Oregon coast. Germantown, founded in 1683 by German and English settlers was birthplace to the antislavery movement and the revolutionary Battle of Germantown. The state of Pennsylvania has 3.5 million people of German ancestry.
"German Immigration." U.S History in Context. N.p., n.d. Web. "Discover What Makes You Uniquely you." Ancestry. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2017. "Irish and German Immigration." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, 2008. Web. 26 May 2017. "American Memory Timeline." Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2017.
Letters from Germany 1947-48
Letter to Mr. William Krug and Family Berlin- Charlottenburg (Germany) South Hadley Mass. USAMarch 26th 1947
Dear Cousins, You will surely be astonished to receive a letter from Berlin. I beg your pardon, that I apply to your assistance; but famine forces me to do so. I am the daughter of your father's sister Pauline Krug (born 1858 in Capellen a Rhein). I remember to have seen dear William, when I was a child; and later on dear Hatly, when she paid a visit to Germany, in 1892 I am now 60 years old, and my husband is 65 years old. He is in the civil service (municipal bank). Before the Hitler reign my husband was free - masoner for many years, and therefore he has kept his position in the civil service. All Nazis have lost their position here in Berlin after this war. We have suffered very much during this awful war. Our house is damaged by bombs and artillery. Fortunately our lodging is remained in a habitable state. Our daughter who is 30 years old, lives also here in Berlin with her husband and 2 little daughters. The windows of their lodging look on ruins. There are no gardens or parks in their quarter. Poor children who must play among ruins! We should prefer to leave Germany, for it is horrible to live in a wretched town. Certainly you are informed that Berlin is a famine. Many people have died with hunger during this winter in Berlin and many have died of cold in their lodgings. Our rations a day are: 10 grammes margarine 400 `` bred 20 `` shugar 400 `` potatoes 40 `` meat 40 `` flour or grit We should be very grateful to you if you would send is sometimes a “Care parcel”. Please, be not indignant about my petition! Perhaps we can sort ourselves grateful to you in future years. I hope to hear from you soon. With many kind regards. Your Cousin Dora Grofs heim Charlottenburg Königin - Luise Str 12
My husband sends your his best compliments.
Letter to William KrugCharlottenburg Oct 6, 1947 Konigin- Luise Str 7
Dear Cousin, At the end of September we got your package, which you forwarded on the first of August. I am very sorry to say it did not arrive in good condition, chocolate and noodles were lost. We are however happy to have got wheatena, milk and baked beans which are delicate! We thank you very much, also for the former 2 packages! The ones from Vosses and Wolffes which you advised did not arrive until now. We are looking forward with pleasure to the pictures which you wil send. Of course, we take a sincere interest in your life on the farm, in your dear Alis, your children and grandchildren. We hope to hear from you soon! With many kind regards, also from our daughter and family we remain.
Your cousins Arthur + Dora Grosshein
Boppard (Germany), February 14th 1948 Dear Anna, Received the plug dried fruites. I am very glad of it. Many thanks for your goodness. Why do you not write a letter to me? I want to hear something of you. This card you have sent me, as you was a little girl. I have reading you had a hard winter very cold and many snow. Hope now is it better and the spring comes soon. We had a mild winter, that was good because we have few coals. The Rhine had high water and was inundations. I could see the flood from my window. I had not good Christmas days was ill must keep the bed. I had weakness of my heart it was from the need I had nothing to eat. Oh it is a very sad life for me I would be dead I should have peace. Many greetings to you and all the yours. Your aunt Olga Krug