Germanic Immigration
Impact of German Culture on the
Culture of the U.S.
• Light blue: German Ancestry
Religion
 Roughly 60% of German immigrants were
Lutheran
 Arrivals 1880-1900: more theologically
conservative
 Many German-language churches
established (Zion Lutheran Church)
Reasons for Leaving Germany
An improved standard of living
Wage Cuts in Germany left families without
enough money to function
Freedom from Prussian Military Service
during the 18th century
Family members who previously emigrated
urged Germans to come to America
Mass modernization and population growth
pushed Germans from their respective
family businesses
Expectations upon Arrival
Favorable opportunities in business
Immigrants wanted to opportunity to farm
their own land or own their own business
Trades and Crafts
Many German immigrants
entered the beer industry
Bakers
Butchers
Cabinet Makers
Cigar Makers
Distillers
Tailors
Very few women worked as
laborers
Many worked as: bakers,
domestic workers, hotel
keepers, janitors,
laundry workers,
nurses, peddlers, saloon
keepers
Customs and Values
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German Christmas
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Most German’s are “GOLD”
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Loyalty to the family, strong work ethic, belief in educational
preparation
Believed in the idea of putting others before oneself
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Most popular – Sauerkraut
Others – Knockwurst, Schnitzel, Bratwurst, and Sauerbraten
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December 6th for Germany = Christmas Eve in U.S.
German tradition of leaving shoes for St. Nick to fill with
candies and treats was changed to filling stockings for the
children in the U.S.
The Ideas of decorating a Christmas Tree originated in
Germany and has influenced U.S. culture.
German illustrator and political propagandist, Thomas Nast,
created the image of Santa Claus
German Cuisine influences
First Hand Accountants
 Mr. Herman Bittenger
 Father was an Austrian Immigrant to the
United States (Feb. 1923)
 Contained all personal items in one large
trunk
 Came over with four friends and became
extremely seasick during the trip
 The most important items brought to the
United States was his original birth
certificate, and money
First Hand Accountants
 Mr. Arthur Broksas
 Left Germany as a child to stay with his
grandfather in the United States
 He settled in Springfield, Virginia as a
child and has lived their his entire life
 Traveled by boat and became seasick
throughout the journey
 Occupation: Physician Assistant for the
State Department
Famous German Immigrants
 Carl Schurz (1829-1906)
 Reformer, Journalist, Legislator
 Dr. Wernher von Braun (1912-1977)
 Rocket Scientist for NASA
 Baron von Steuben
 Rigorously trained Continental troops at Valley
Forge
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Albert Einstein - sciences
Albert Michelson - astronomy
Hans Bethe - astronomy
Oscar Hammerstein - composer
Created by,
Robert Emmerich
Adam Humayun
Caroline Meek
® AP U.S. History II