#2
Herz of the City
German Cincinnati: The Lost Connection
Like almost all people I’ve had 4 grandparents, my dad’s parents, and moms parents, but the reality is only 1 is with us here today. I’ve only had the ability to meet my parent’s mothers, which is a blessing of course, but will always wish I could meet my parents fathers as my dad plays an incredibly important role in my life and he does an incredible job at it. Although, having just my mom’s mother left today, and knowing her very well (she lives 15 minutes from me in Pennridge, Pennsylvania), I decided to stay with singular focus on her and her life growing up. The coolest part is, she is an incredible lady, and has an incredible life that I am learning about more and more each and everyday. As a young kid I just saw her as my lovable granny, but now being older and wiser, I see her as a culmination of everything she has experienced and am deeply fascinated by it. To prepare myself for interviewing my grandma, I wanted to learn as much as I can about what I believe influenced her. She grew up with German parents in Cincinnati which is dominated by German influence heavily which makes it all the more interesting. I wanted to develop a plethora of sources stemming around the idea of the German influence in the city of Cincinnati to see how much that city was developed by the German immigrant wave due to the fact my grandmas grandparetns were once German immigrants finding themselves in Cincinnati undoubdetly contributing to the culture that is still seen to this day. I hope with the help of these sources to dive into the German influence in the city of Cincinnati and eventually connect all this back to my Grandma and her incredible story.
The Sacred Space of Cincinnati
Lagle, Laura. University of Cincinnati. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
Cincinnati to many may seem just like a normal city like all others with some cool items here and there but the reality of the fact is that it is much more than that. Cincinnati is filled with an extraordinary amount of German influence and culture that can be seen by taking a simple walk throughout the city on any given day. Due to the fact my grandma’s family is descendants from Germany who settled into Cincinnati, I want to know more and more about the German influence on the city knowing that my family had a part in it.
The first mayor of Cincinnati, David Ziegler, was elected in 1802 and he was a revolutionary war veteran originally from Heidelberg, Germany. That begins to show the influence that Germany has on the city right from the start of it. To think that was just the beginning of the culture that will be brought over from the middle European country. One area that helps to show a large amount of German influence is the Over-the-Rhine district of Cincinnati. The architect of this area is almost all due to the early German settlers that came and populated this area. It was said to be called Over-the-Rhine because when you cross the Maimi-Erie canal area you are said to be crossing the Rhine river which is a huge geographic landmark in Germany. The immigrants back in the mid 1800s from Germany built many of the homes in Cincinnati, but also built up the multitude of breweries that once populated the city. Knowing the Germans have a large culture that affiliates with beer, when German immigrants came over they built many German breweries that helped to distinguish the city from others. Sadly enough, when the prohibition took place, many breweries could not sustain themselves because they had no sales, and almost all fell apart. One big German-influenced event is Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati which boats over 500,00 people every year and is the largest Oktoberfest event in all of North America. This one event helps to exemplify the German-American style that is evident throughout the city. Without the immigrants that came over from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries, none of this may have been possible. It is extremely interesting to see what immigrants from Germany could bring to a brand new American city, as all of America was bustling with immigrants with different cultures.
This source really helps to portray German influence and immediately makes me think of my grandma and that her family before her was once in the German city paving their way so that I could be here today. I am extremely glad that my family could be credited with adding to the bustling German culture that is all over Cincinnati today.
Images of America German Cincinnati
Tolzmann, Don Heinrich. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub., 2011. Print.
To best realize the influence of culture that the German immigrants of the 19th and 20th centuries brought to the great city of Cincinnati, one has to see the images of the actual work and culture brought to America. With images it can be recognized that the Germans came over and truly helped to make Cincinnati what it is today. There is a plethora of different items that range from buildings, bridges, statues, fountains, and even graveyards that aid one in the ability to see the German influence throughout the city. Having a source that shows the images of these actual items helps me to see all that has been brought to the table by these German immigrants, and that quite possibly might grandma and her family members could have walked near these or right by these items all the time, and now I get to see them and see where my family has lived and been apart of.
A big centerpiece to the city is a statue from Munich, Germany, that was donated to the city of Cincinnati. Munich is said to be the official sister city of Cincinnati. The statue was dedicated in 1871 on a very important day, October 6, which is celebrated as German-American day, as that day marks the founding of the first German settlement in America at Germantown, Pennsylvania on that day in 1683. The statue is 43-feet high and has 13 allegorical figures and 4 bas-reliefs that depict the blessings of water. The central figure is the Genius des Wasser, also known as the Genius of the Water.
Another major landmark in the city of Germany is the suspension bridge across the Ohio River which opened in 1867. The bridge was built by Johann August Roebling and served as a model for the Brooklyn Bridge. Roebling was a German immigrant and other immigrants coming to the land seeing this large bridge helped them to see all they could do America and helped to give them hope. America at the time was deemed das Land der unbegrenzten Moglichkeiten, also known as the “the land of limitless possibilities”. The bridge connected with Kentucky and parts of Greater Cincinnati which became known as the American Rhineland.
The city of Cincinnati also holds many parks which can be attributed to the Germans love of the outdoors and woodland areas. Washington park has a monument named Hecker monument, devoted to Friedrich Hecker who was one of the leaders of the 1848 Revolution in Germany and after its failure came to America with the other “Forty-Eighters”. It is inscribed in Germans with words “For the freedom of the people in the old and new Fatherland”. Spring Grove Cemetery is considered masterpiece of landscaping and is one of the largest and most spacious parks in all of Cincinnati. It is recognized in the National Register of Historic Places. The work became nationally known to to the work of its superintendent, Adolph Strauch, who had acquired his landscaping education in Germany and Austria.
Overall, the entire city of Cincinnati can be seen to have an incredible German influence included in many unique items all throughout the city. One cannot come to Cincinnati without experiencing the expansive amount of German influence brought over by many immigrants.
Cincinnati A City of Immigrants
“German 1830’s — 1950’s.” n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
My German roots coming into America onto my grandma’s side start at about 1902, when they first came over and landed in Cincinnati. It is momentous decision for one travel half way across the country to come to a new country that one does not know much about. And I am also very curious and figuring what exactly caused my ancestors to come to America instead of staying put in Germany all those years ago. I believe part of it could be the established German area of Cincinnati that made many people feel comfortable in coming all the way over. As more and more people came and then got word back to friends and family back in Germany, I believe that more and more people felt comfortable in coming to America and specifically Cincinnati.
Cincinnati was founded in 1788 by primarily settlers of English and Scottish ancestry. By 1830, just 5% of the population had German roots but then all of the changed rapidly. In just 10 years the number of German-born immigrants hit 30% and doubled between 1840 and 1850 showing the mass amount of Germans that were coming over to the city from Europe. Germans started to create hospitals and various different cultural institutions across the country such as churches and businesses. The German Language by just 1850 was used in four newspapers, in most church school classes and sermons, and for store and bank transactions. The customs of the many Germans that were flooding into Cincinnati clashed with the lifestyle of American-born Protestants who disagreed with the way Germans spent their Sundays doing other events rather than in church. Panic grew as the “Know-Nothing” party was created in the 1850s, spearheaded by nativists who didn’t like the immigrants of all kinds flooding into “their city”.
Germans founded many organizations, institutions, and societies to lessen the impact and make it easier for ones coming over from the “Fatherland”. As most immigrants, coming to a new country can be extremely and many Germans faced a multitude of problems while trying to get their footing and find jobs. Although many did come with an array of skills whether as a tradesman, craftsman, baker, tailor and more. The skills brought over would greatly benefit all German immigrants and making a new life for themselves.
I would like to think that the early German immigrants that made it to America the 19th century helped pave the way for my ancestors who made their way over in the early 20th century. I am sure that many Germans establishing institutions would make life a lot easier for all Germans coming over to the country. Being in America know and knowing that my ancestors made it to Cincinnati comfortably and stayed their for 50+ years as my grandma was born there, I can only be extremely appreciative of the work the early German Immigrants have done.
History of Over-the-Rhine
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.
Having ancestors come to Cincinatti in the early 1900s, and knowing that my grandma was born in Cincinnati in the 1940s, I know that they must have lived through a lot in the city and must have experienced many different events that were both beneficial and not. My ancestors without a doubt left a lasting destiny way past the first immigrants that made it to Cincinnati. The city started to accrue less and less immigrants by the 20th century because of many factors but the strong German population was still there and thriving. With the events of World War 1 and 2 both occurring while my ancestors and grandma were living in Cincinnati, I am sure they had to handle a lot.
At the turn of the 20th century, the neighborhood Over-the-Rhine population reached a peak of 45,000 residents with an estimated 75 percent being German-Americans. Although by 1915, the more prosperous left the neighborhood and dense city for the suburbs. But still left were an extremely large population of German Americans that had a strong sense of pride for their homeland. This could especially be seen during World War 1, where many early German victories were celebrated by the people and German-language newspapers in Cincinnati would strongly vocalize their opinions. Without the Americans in the war at the time the celebration was understood, but with the likelihood of Germans entering the war increased more and more, many Americans became frustrated with the Germans. A group deemed “nativists” questioned whether or not the Germans were loyal to the United States. As the US made its way into World War 1, the anti-German feeling increased more and more. When the United States entered the war in 1917, over half of the cities residents could speak German and many spoke only German. In 1918, German men not registered has naturalized citizens were required by the government to be registered as alien enemies. The New York Times even reported that if one was going Over-The-Rhine they were going where all English was left behind. Street names with natural German names were changed and the state closed German-language schools and would not allow any German-language classes to be held at any public schools. Some German Americans changed their names to avoid the anti-German sentiment and many businesses also changed their names to avoid the issues that would be involved. Only until after World War 2 did Cincinnati’s German heritage stop being suppressed. Due to the fact that Cincinnati had so many breweries, when prohibition was gaining leverage, anyone that was anti-prohibition could be seen as being pro-German. And once prohibition was put into place, almost all 30 Over-The-Rhine breweries were closed.
Knowing that my ancestors got here in the early 1900s and stayed here for years after, it is important to realize all they have been through and appreciate the possibly problems they had to encounter on a daily basis. It makes me very appreciative to see that no matter what happened my family stuck it out in Cincinnati and found a way to make it work.
Cincideutsch
Cincideutsch. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017.
Having ancestors from Germany coming to Cincinnati first and a grandma that was born in Cincinnati in the 1940s and and growing up there, they must have a deep connection with the city and have experienced an extreme amount of different events. Cincinnati is a very diverse city now a days and thinned out during an extended period of time, I find it extremely interesting how my ancestors lived through the denser German times but also stayed through the times when German-Americans started to leave the area and expand to new places. Nonetheless it must have been extremely interesting to see the city change in both positive and negative ways and be apart of that.
In 1860, there were around 328,000 immigrants that lived in Ohio which accounted for fourteen percent of the state’s population. By 1900, that number would increase all the way to approximately 460,000. The history of Ohio and Cincinnati specifically would not even be close to complete without focusing on the German influence that was impediment to the success of Cincinnati and the culture that Cincinnati developed and thrived off of. There was an extreme amount of positive and negative that arose from the large German population that took over Cincinnati through the mid-1800s. Cincinnati helped to form the famous German Triangle that consisted of St. Louis and Milwaukee. Cincinnati still always boasted the largest German presence and the had the largest amount of German influence out of all the cities. To this day, Germans still come to this city and continue to contribute to the culture that was once established 200 some years ago. Today, approximately half of the population in the Greater Cincinnati area has German ancestry. Throughout the city there is a myriad of locations and landmarks that boast the German heritage that was brought over during mass immigration times in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many schools in the area are still connected with Germany and provide exchange programs with counterparts in Germany. The German-American Citizens League (GACL) is utilized as the group that connects all of the German societies in the area to a central core. This organization also established the German Heritage Museum which greatly shows the strong heritage in the region and the respect that the city has for the German culture. Cincinnati is unofficially the capital of German-American culture in the United States.
It is cool to see how important the culture of the Germans is in the city as my ancestors contributed to this and helped to make it what it is today. Living there for 40+ years, my ancestors everyday were contributing and experiencing old and new German culture.
The Disintegration of an Immigrant Community: The Cincinnati Germans, 1870–1920
Dobbert, Guido Andre. York: Arno, 1980. Print.
Immigration in Germany started extremely early in the 19th century and peaked in the 1840s-50s. Thus, having a ancestors that came over the Atlantic and rested in Cincinnati in the early 1900s means they were to experience different things then the bustling groups that came earlier. Nonetheless, coming later seemed to pose more of a problem and caused my ancestors to face more problems as the entire country of the United States of America were experiencing new things and all people whether they be as specific as the Germans of Cincinnati had to face the repercussions of them. My ancestors came at an extremely interesting time that lead to many different experiences for them they had to handle.
First, prohibition posed a major problem as Germans felt threatened with the amount of breweries they contained and the amount of drinks they consumed. German-Americans would start to organize a united front against anyone they felt were against them. German-Americans were promised equal amount of help by both major parties so both had equal support and each German-American felt the party they supported would give more help. This would cause more anti-German sentiment leading up to World War 1 and beyond. World War posed a ginormous threat for Germans in Cincinnati as at the beginning of the war they could cheer for their country but then became more and more difficult as America seemed posed to join and then eventually did join the war. By the end of the war the German-Americans were just hoping for a peaceful ending that would not cause more unrest as enough was already occurring. Before the war the Germans felt the Americans owed German immigrants, but that became reversed after the war when it was emphasized what German Immigrants owed Americans. Much of the German culture that started to try to be reversed as the war started would be taken away and too late to be salvaged. This included German language in schools and much German literature. Although, many German societies survived the anti-German sentiment that flood the streets of Cincinnati during World War 1. At the beginning of the war the English press made it apparent that they sympathized for the German-Immigrants. But as time moved on it was obvious the sympathy was gone as America entered the war. After the war, there was not much of a German community left at all in Cincinnati. It is to be to be recognized that the role of World War 1 separated German-Cincinnati greater and without it may have stood much stronger through the early 1900s.
Irish and German Immigration
Illustrated London News. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.
My grandparents immigrated to the United States of America in 1902 and 1910, way past when the major curve of German immigrants were coming to the country. Most German immigrants made their way over around the 1840s and 1850s, that was when the German culture of Cincinnati started to boom. It is interesting to see that my grandparents stayed in German that long and did not make their way over when many in the country were coming. Especially because this source states many Germans had the available to make the trip to make it over, but what makes it more interesting is what was going on in Germany at the time of the mass immigration and what my ancestors would have had to endure when staying in the country.
From 1845 to 1855, more than a million Germans came to the United States and many to Cincinnati to escape the chaos that was occurring in the German empire at the time. Germany was extremely unstable at this time and was dealing with an extreme amount of political unrest all over the many provinces. Many riots broke out in the country and rebellions were occurring and popping up all over. A revolution even sparked in 1848 causing many to leave the country and to be named the “forty-eighters”. Also, the Germans did not have much of a choice when it came to immigration, because the United States was one of the places that would allow German immigration. Many came in search of farmland or just labor in general. Escaping the ruthlessness of Germany was a major key to the start of German culture all throughout cities in the United States. With the most prominent being New York City, Baltimore, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. Although, Cincinnati will always be the leader of German culture being brought over to the United States.
What I happen to find the most interesting from all of this is the fact that my ancestors stuck out the political unrest and rebellions that occurred in Germany in the times when mass integration was occurring. They must have been through a lot at the time and decided to stay in their home country and make their way through it all which is extremely impressive and commendable. I can’t imagine it was easy to live during that time and go through all of that and decide to still stay. I owe it to my ancestors to be able to go through uprising in a time that was never like this and was completely different. I am also still glad though they made it to the great city of Cincinnati and succeeded there.
Gate of Heaven
N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.
Going from a place you know all about to a place you know nothing about is an incredibly intense experience where there are many unknown variables of occurrence. That’s why understanding my ancestors past is extremely important to me as I never met many of my grandparents and definitely not my ancestors, but they made me exactly who I am today. They don’t know me either, but if they were to find out who I am, I would hope they would be proud of who I am. That’s why I would like to know as much as possible about my ancestors, right down to the cemetery they were buried in as I believe that shows a piece about them.
My great grandmother, Matilda Helen Glaser, was buried at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio. This church is owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati. This group believes that the Catholic philosophy of life has always contained a realistic attitude towards death. They believe that a Catholic understands that one of the most important parts in one’s life is to prepare for death. This preparation, which is understood as spiritual, is a very essential process which prepares one for the eternal life. The Gate of Heaven Cemetery is seen as an extension of the Catholic church. Also, this cemetery spans 160 acres of landscaped grounds kept to the highest quality. The land was at once farm land of seven individual families, and started to be used by the Catholic church at the start of the 1940s. The first ceremony was done in 1977.
I find it extremely interesting to see where my ancestors were laid to rest as it connects me to their life much more and gives me a place to visit whenever I make my way to Cincinnati so I can pay homage to my ancestors who did more for me then I will ever be able to do for them. I went to Roman Catholic classes as a kid and never really knew why but I went with it anyway because that was what I was told, but know I see my ancestors were buried in a cemetery that is devoutly Roman Catholic and follow the Catholic religion strongly. I can now see a connection between studying religion and how I came to study that certain religion. It makes me feel more strongly towards it knowing that my ancestors passed down a way of life that got me to where I am today by them following this sacred practice.
OTR Brewery District | Cincinnati, OH.
N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2017
Germans are notorious for their drinking of beer. Germans are said to drink beer at breakfast, lunch, and dinner and borderline survive of the liquid itself. Having German ancestor, I can only make a strong assumption that they indulged in the consumption of beer on a daily basis and thrived off it as most Germans do. This also equates to the fact that Cincinnati had an incredible brewing scene in the Over-the-Rhine portion of Cincinnati that was unrivaled. Being that Cincinnati is where my ancestors settled when coming to America, I wanted to learn more about the brewery industry and what made it so great in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district boasts 360-acres, plenty of room for a large amount of breweries and bars for Germans to partake their beer drinking in. By 1850, the population of Cincinnati was 115,435 of which 30,758 were German immigrants. Most Germans settled into the Over-the-Rhine district, which at its peak had an estimated 75% German immigrants. German entrepreneurs began to build up the profitable brewing industry as soon as they got to the American city. Lager beer was introduced in the 1830’s, and German brewers became dominant in that part of the industry. The number of breweries in the city increased from eight in 1840 to 36 in 1860. German brewers became wealthy and influential figures in the city, and when a financial panic hit in 1857, many German immigrants entrusts their savings to brewers rather than to the banks. Over-the-Rhine was still extremely diverse though, and the brewing district was confined to McMicken Avenue and the Miami and Erie canal, this eventually would become known as the brewing district. Beer gardens in the neighborhood evolved into strong social centers for German culture during this period and attracted all sorts of different people. Many societies and groups would conduct meetings at beer gardens due to their popularity and convenience. On Sundays, after church, beer gardens would be bustling with people and contained many different aspects such as music and various social activities. This area of Cincinnati became a strong place for German culture and many of the buildings that still stand today can be dated back to the time when German immigrants were finding their way into the country and bringing a culture that would not be lost to this day. During the period of 1860 to 1900, German influence truly reached its peaked.
Even though my first ancestor made their way here in 1902, I find it interesting to see what was happening in Cincinnati while they were still in Germany, and the culture that was developed in America at that time. I can only assume that it was extremely helpful coming to America and seeing the breweries and beer gardens that most likely are all over Germany, and probably helped to ease the pain of coming to a new country and starting a new life.
The Effect of Anti-German Sentiment on German-American Cultural Identity
Wüstenbecker, Katja. Immigrant Entrepreneurship. N.p., 25 Sept. 2014. Web
With all of the good times that were most likely enjoyed by the immigrants of America as they proceeded towards the American dream, there was no doubt a plethora of hard times that immigrants in the United States had to stick out. Getting through the tough times is what helped to define the immigrant classes that came to America with little to know English in their vocab and minimal knowledge of where to head or start their journey. There’s no doubt that these hard working people had tough times, and my ancestors were right there with them. Coming from Germany in 1902 and 1910, immediately there were problems that the German Americans faced and had to get through.
Starting in the fall of 1917, when America would enter the first world war, is when Germans faced problems that they needed to overcome. German language was officially banned in all schools, universities, libraries, and religious services. Many German societies had to be shut down due to the fact that the country wanted a more nationalistic feel, and all German-language press in America was forced to shut down. Many people that if German language was preserved, it would make it much more difficult for the German-American assimilation to occur. The German language was also seen as bad since the Germans were the ones being fought in Europe by the United States. Many books in German or even referencing Germany were destroyed or stored away. Patriotic campaigns caused many German names for towns, streets, parks and public buildings to be changed. Many families wanted to avoid the harassment by changing their names from the German tongue that they previously had. Music was not apart from being changed either, Germans had many incredible composers in America at the time but the opera houses at the time did not want to be labeled as disloyal and would not play the certain composers. All German-language newspaper was abruptly stopped selling, no one wanted their subscriptions, companies stopped advertising them, no one would deliver them and vendors stopped selling them. Although many lost support, several still continued for years and years after the war. There was less harassment of German-Americans in places with less Germans around, which is why Cincinnati had a major problem.
My ancestors living in city with a strong German population and culture, most likely experienced a lot of hostility during this time. I can only appreciate the fact they did their best during the time and lived on, eventually opening the door for me to be where I am today.
German-American Citizens League
German-American Citizens League — Deutsch-Amerikanische Burger Liga, about. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
Cincinnati has more German heritage than any other place in the entire United States, with all that culture that was brought over, with my ancestors contributing to it, I would hope that some of it is preserved such that I can see what was brought to the country from my ancestors. I can only assume that my family had a part in bringing some culture to the city of Cincinnati, and also enjoying the German culture that was all around them. It most definitely makes it a little easier to come to a different country when many people from one’s home country are out and about.
Cincinnati’s German heritage can go all the way back to 1788, with the arrival of the first Germans coming to the area. It took only until 1819 when the first German-American society was organized and that would start a plethora of groups to be founded which most definitely benefited the Germans coming to a new place. In 1883, the first All-German sentiment in America was celebrated on the 6th of October in Cincinnati. This day was named Pastorius day to honor the the founder, Franz Daniel Pastorius. Pastorius day became knows as German day and was celebrated by 12,000 people by 1895. The German Day Society was then created to help facilitate the day as it eventually became an annual event that was held in Cincinnati. This society would eventually change its name to the German-American Alliance of Cincinnati when it became an affiliate of the National German-American Alliance in 1906. The group had to change their name two times due to the World Wars that were occurring, but eventually became the German-American Citizens league. This league now supports the civic, social and cultural interesting of the German-American community. This league has done a strong amount for the German-Americans who live and come to this country and I can only assume that they helped my ancestors in one way or another. In 1989 this group was key in introducing the study of local German-American heritage into the curriculum of schools in the city. In 1996, the league was responsible for the placement of historic informational signs of the former German street names in Cincinnati which were changed to English street names during World War 1. The German-American Citizens league would also construct the German Heritage Museum which was completed in 2000.
It is good to see a society that likes to promote the German-American heritage that was brought to this country even through the hardships of World War 1 and 2.
German-Americans The Silent Minority
The Economist. N.p., 5 Feb. 2015. Web.
My ancestors came to America, specifically Cincinnati, in 1902 and 1910. But they were by far not some of the early Germans making the transition to America. Germans had been migrating in large numbers to America since the early 1800s and Germans would eventually be spread out all over the entire country spreading their culture and influencing the country in unique ways. My ancestors were two of those many Germans that helped to shape this country and make it who it is now. Through the hard times and the good times, Germans were bound to make a large mark on this country and impose themselves in many ways that people do not notice.
German-Americans are America’s largest single ethnic group which is an astonishing thing considering it is very overlooked. In the 2013 Census, 46 million Americans claimed German ancestry which was more than any other European country. Although, even with the large numbers, this group goes overlooked, as few notice John Boehner, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Rand Paul, a senator form Kentucky with presidential ambitions are of German Origin. Many companies founded by German-Americans tend to down play their roots, such as Pfizer, Boeing, Steinway, Levi Strauss or Heinz. There may be a small note buried in their websites that attribute the fact their companies were founded by German-Americans. There some firms that do boast their German-American history though, such as Kohler, in a short film. German immigrants have flavored American culture with the introduction of Cinnamon on certain items. They have imported Christmas trees and Easter Bunnies and gave America a taste for pretzels, hot dogs, bratwurst and sauerkraut. They built many big Lutheran churches wherever they went. They also launched America’s first Kindergarten starting in Wisconsin. Germans brought a slew of breweries and changed the beer game in America forever. Due to the world wars and German being fought against by the United States of America, German-Americans were very quick to assimilate into the American culture and 97% with German roots speak only English at home. Germans successfully assimilated without any law or legislation specifically geared towards their single ethnic group. German culture is beginning to be preserved now that people recently have realized how large the German roots are in this country, with a German-American being established in Washington, D.C. German fests and Oktoberfests are currently huge in the country and occur in many different places. Stuff made by Germans sell and have brought their craftsmanship to the country. Americans travel to Germany frequently. Overall, the German impact in America is more than ever imagined.
Final Thoughts:
Herz is German for Heart.
