German Influence at the 1904 World’s Fair
German Day at the 1904 World’s Fair was the fourth most attended day of the event, proving the growth of the large population of German immigrants the prior century brought to the city.
Origins of Germans to the United States
Large waves of German immigration to the United States occurred in 1848, leading to more and more immigrants coming to the US and settling especially in Cincinnati, Milwaukee and of course, St. Louis. As more Germans moved into the city, German neighborhoods formed all over, including Turnvereins and Die Freie Gemeinde von Nord St. Louis (The Free Congregation of North St. Louis).
These groups brought new ideas about everyday life with them including their influences to make school a more neutral place to learn, without religion or other ideas acting as the foundation. Another distinctly German cultural phenomenon was their ‘Sunday’ culture.
Daily German-American Relations
In an excerpt from Harper’s Weekly, they state that there were tensions between Germans and Americans over the question of how Sundays should be spent. Germans saw it as a day of socializing, recreation and pleasure. Anglo-Americans noted that the day was for religious exercise and relaxation, clashing with the German’s views.
Despite strifes between the immigrants and Anglo-Americans, Germans found their way into American culture, with influences from both going on to influence daily life later in history.
The 6th of October was chosen as the day for Germany Day to occur because it marked the anniversary of the first German immigrants landing in Pennsylvania in 1683.
This day included shows by a children’s Turnverein (Gymnastics group) performing and eventually lining up to form an American flag as a show of patriotism. The Germans did not want to make the entire day about them, but rather their recognition of their dual identity as both Germans and Americans, paying respects to both cultures.
It is important to note that their German patriotism was quite odd given the fact the immigrant group known as the Forty-Eighters left the country due to poor living conditions and unstable authoritarian governments. Both of those still rang true in 1904 Germany, but the fact the country was unified as one was enough for the Forty-Eighters to again have enthusiasm for their mother country.
Germany and the United States’ Foreign Relations
The day also emphasized the newfound harmony between the United States and Germany, as Germany grew to be a more respected international power. Though the two nations had completing interests navally and economically, the harmony between the nations remained temporarily, even if forced.
Tensions between Germany, the United States and German-Americans were on the rise, although at the time their relations were still cordial. The German language at this time was beginning to die out, as it was banned in schools. This led to groups like the Schiller Society, a group to support the German language and culture and keep more immigrants in the United States speaking the language.
It rarely takes place as an export from one nation to another or as one country’s adjustment to the way of life of another. National cultures are not clear-cut or unified phenomena; they are dynamic systems, fields of conflict, contestation, and struggles. -Michael Werner
Despite efforts to keep the German culture alive, like German Day at the World’s Fair and the Schiller Society, continued assimilation would lead to the demise of the German language, and the absorption of German traditions into American culture.
