The German-American Experience (German Studies)

About this book

Representing one-fourth of the population German-Americans constitute the largest ethnic element according to the U.S. Census with well over 60 million people claiming German heritage. In twenty-six states they comprise at least 20 percent of the population and in five states they number more than 50 percent-important statistics in understanding the role played by German-Americans in U.S. history. The German-American Experience provides a comprehensive record of the essential facts in the history of this group from its first U.S. settlements in the seventeenth century to the present. Beginning with "The Age of Discovery " this volume explores the earliest contacts between America and Germany immigration and settlement patterns of Germans foundations of German-American community life their major involvement in the American Revolution and the role German-Americans played in our Civil War. Both world wars are chronicled including the anti-German sentiment and the internment of German-Americans during both wars. The revival of German heritage and the renaissance of German-American ethnicity since the 1970s is surveyed along with recent events including the impact of German unification and the 1990 census. The author also analyzes German-American influences on agriculture industry religion education music art architecture politics military service journalism literature and language. In addition he comments on prominent German-Americans German names sister cities historical statistics and much more.