German Immigrant Influence on American Culture by Rachael Faulkenberry

ABSTRACT

            It is easy for Americans today to focus on the present day issues and, as a result, fail to acknowledge the history of how our culture was created. With many different countries entering the United States all at once, the American culture became an amalgamation of all different cultures. However, German culture stands apart from others as being one of the most prominent cultures that impacted American principles. The significant impact of beliefs, language, values, and traditions of the Germans on the American culture is a result of their wide diversity of talents and knowledge. In the following paper, one will find how Germany significantly changed the way we see America today, why its culture stood out amongst all the other cultures that entered the United States, as well as what the nation would look like today without German influence.

German Immigrant Influence on American Culture

In 1763, an ordinary German family gave birth to a man who would, one day, dramatically impact the business world. John Jacob Astor grew up helping his father in Waldorf, Germany selling milk until one day he moved to London to learn more about the international trade industry. In 1783, Astor moved to New York City and began to buy fur from the Native Americans. Once he saw how successful this industry was, John opened up the American Fur Company which expanded all across the country. By his death in 1848, John Jacob Astor had approximately $20 million (World Biography). This man who came from an ordinary family in Germany was able to expand his ideas in America and, as a result, is now looked on as a man who was able to change the way business in America is handled. John Jacob Astor is just one out of millions who brought his culture from Germany over to America and, as a result, significantly impacted America and how it runs today. By means of their language, wide variety of skills, customs and strength, German culture has made a significant impact on America.

            Beginning in the 18^th century, Germans began to feel the wrath of economic decline as well as religious and political persecution. Foreign companies began to impede on German markets, causing many German families to struggle to keep their business afloat (Immigration Library). In the 1800’s, “they also sought to escape the political unrest caused by riots, rebellion and eventually a revolution in 1848” (Irish and German Immigration). German families jumped at the opportunity to escape hardship in their homeland and come to the “land of opportunity”. Once in America, the Germans dispersed and planted their families all over the country. Although many moved to southern states such as Texas, the majority of German families lived in Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, Maryland, Virginia, and New York (Immigration Library). This unique society differs from other countries that had immigrants because, due to their wide variety of skills, Germans were able to live in cold weather, warm weather, major cities, or small towns (Newburg). As a result of the Germans moving to areas all over the country, their culture was integrated into the American system.     

            One way Germany has succeeded in embedding their culture in America’s culture is through the commercial industry. Immigrants from Germany included everyone from farmers to business men. If they were farmers, they typically moved to Texas, Kansas, and other mid-western states. If they were businessmen, they typically stayed in larger cities such as New York City, St. Louis or Pittsburgh. Many immigrants from countries other than Germany usually stayed in large groups and chose landscapes similar to their homeland’s to prosper. Consequently, their culture stayed mainly in one area in the U.S. rather than spreading all around the country. The Germans determination and skill diversity facilitated their impact on culture in America.

Although Germans were able to settle all across the country, they, like other immigrants stayed close together and formed small communities. In fact, “districts inhabited by German immigrants, usually called “Llittle Germanys.” were thriving with German American life in the 19^th century” (Moltmann and Hartmurt 145). By having these small areas in towns where everyone spoke the same language, Germans were able to do business and also have a social life that reflected their homeland culture (Moltmann and Hartmurt Germans to America). These small communities slowly began to expand and impact the cities in which they were located, allowing the German culture to become more prevalent in the United States (Moltmann and Hartmurt 150). One example of how these German towns are still prevalent to America today is the observation of the Amish belief. From all over the country, the Amish have exemplified the lifestyle of the Germans: independence and self-sufficiency (Amish People). They come from German descent and still uphold certain practices of Germany as well as speaking English and Pennsylvanian Dutch, a dialect of German with English combined). Although most Amish families reside in Pennsylvania, one can find large Amish communities in states such as Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa (Hostetler, The Mennonites and Amish). This present example of German life is just one of the many aspects brought from America to Germany. Not only were America’s commercial industries and towns affected by the Germans, but their language was also affected by the ever rising number of German immigrants.

            When mass groups from different countries immigrated to the new land (America), language barriers began to become increasingly prevalent. Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, as well as several other languages were compiled together into one country. Fortunately for the Germans, their widespread movement of families throughout America made German one of the most popular languages in the country. In the book Germans and the Americans, Frank Trommler and Joseph McVeigh state that

“a study sponsored by the American Council of Learned Societies established that in 1790 roughly 277,000 Americans were of German ancestry.... [also,] when asked about the ancestry in the 1980 census, 188 million Americans reported one or more ethnic ties. ‘Germany’ was the answer of more than 49.2 million persons, only slightly fewer than the 49.6 million who claimed English ancestry. Seventeen states along the northern tier of the United States, plus Alaska, had more persons listing Germany as the ancestral origin than any other country” (227).

The large percentage of Germans in America caused their language to be more prominent. Although German did not become the primary language in the U.S., it is still a common language today. German was actually one of the leading languages taught in most colleges and universities in the 1900’s. The German language impacted American culture by German named towns or ancestral prevalence. Many names such as Fredericksburg and New Berlin come from the German language (Trommler 238). Also, many in America study and speak the German language due to their ancestral background, causing business or communities to use German related terms or words (Trommler 238-239).

Germans successfully impacted American cuisine by introducing pastries, meats, and, most of all, beer. Food such as the bratwurst, pretzel, strudels, German chocolate cake, hot dogs, and sauerkraut are all German cuisines that are still served on Americans plates today. When the Germans immigrated to the U.S., they brought with them their homemade culinary recipes that quickly became incorporated within the American cuisine. Although beer was already introduced to America by the Europeans, Germans popularized the alcoholic drink by using technology and new techniques. Germans were able to adjust to the available tools in order to produce fine quality beer (German influence on American Culture, 18). Not only did Germans influence America’s culinary culture, they also impacted America’s holidays and social occasions (Mai, German Influence on American Culture).

            Unbeknown to many Americans today, many popular holidays and celebrations have strong German influenced backgrounds. After immigrating to the U.S., the wide spread of German towns created a base for the German culture to influence households with their unique traditions. Whether it was festivities or holiday practices, German culture quickly became integrated into each household in America. The largest German celebration held in America is the widely known Oktoberfest. This event began in Germany in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding (History of Oktoberfest). Since then, Oktoberfest has been celebrated every September/October. When the Germans immigrated to the U.S., they carried this festivity over to celebrate life and love. Every year, Americans join in the fun with carnival rides, German food, beer, and laughs. Another way German culture can be seen within America’s holiday celebrations are their personal touches found within holidays. For instance, German culture is evident within the Christmas season. Candles commonly found in windows as well as nativity scenes made out of wood or clay both have German roots. The biggest factor of Christmas that comes from Germany, however, is the common Christmas tree (German influence on American Culture 24-25). These two celebratory events are just a couple of the many holidays and traditions that have German backgrounds. Without the German traditions spreading throughout America, holidays today would look drastically different in American households. If German culture failed to influence American culture to the extent they did, the United State would look drastically different than what individuals see today.

            In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, valiant individuals made the intimidating but exciting journey to the “land of opportunity” in order to live a prosperous life as well as impact the world. Hundreds of years later, their traditions have become a common aspect of American culture. Whether it’s the business setting, language, food, or holidays, Americans cannot avoid strong German impacts on their culture. Without these integrated cultural similarities, the United States would not be as technologically advanced, their dialect would be altered, common foods such as the hot dog or beer would not be as common, and many holiday traditions would be non-existent. As a result of these contributions to America, German culture has dramatically impacted the way Americans live their life even to present day.

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