#119

Written for participants in the Germanic Genealogical Special Interest Group (GGSIG; www.ggsig.org),

augmenting German-American research and heritage. FORUM contains genealogical, educational, and historical

information with fresh insights plus ideas on German culture & ancestry.

Dr. Gerald Perschbacher (LL.D.) is FORUM compiler-coordinator.

German “vereins” formed in many parts of the country by 1900 and had a tough go of things during the early

decades of the 1900s. Turnvereins dealt with making Germans physically fit and healthy.

Tough Times for Germans By Dr. Gerald Perschbacher

In the previous edition of GGSIG FORUM (#118) we investigated the rising discontent

directed toward German immigrants in the 1900s. Specifically, we targeted the period of World

War One (generally from 1914-1918, depending on the country involved).

That was not the first discontent leveled against a cultural group between our shores.

There was a long-standing disagreement and even saber-rattling at times between American

citizens in the U.S.A. and between Canadians over the border. Much the same can be said of

Americans and Spanish, later Mexicans, over land rights. Native peoples (Indians) and people of

other cultures also have at times gone to war (which, if the truth be told, many Indian tribes

fought for centuries against other tribes over water rights, hunting grounds, and sacred spaces).

Fighting is nothing new. Neither are wars. But when an entire culture or race (as

with black slaves) is the target of discontent, it is a sad scenario.

Regardless of the German work ethic and moral stances, people were blinded to their

sociologically beneficial aspects when war with Germany erupted. Some of that was fueled by

anti-German forces beyond our borders.

German population centers by 1910.

When Germans mainstreamed into American life as early as the 1600s and

1700s, they trended to congregate among their own in isolation because of the familiarity of

traditions, language, live styles, and living techniques (in farming and cottage industry, even

beyond that in printing and other endeavors). It was safer that way and more comfortable to

continue the “Old Country” traditions. Had Germans not brewed beer in this country, that

industry probably would not exist at all like it does today. Clock making, shoe making, and the

metal industry also have benefitted from the German ethic and work style.

Since arriving on our shores, regionalisms protected the Germans in many ways. But a

very severe period was in the near future. What took place during the First World War was a

recap of anti-German sentiment that surfaced in 1860-1865. Back then, first-generation German

Americans during the Civil War were seen with skepticism in the St. Louis area and in adjoining

counties. That’s because they sounded like foreigners and did not match the image of “TRUE”

Americans. But more than that, they formed “SOCIETIES” (a German verein may be defined as

a society or “union” in purpose and interest).

Those different societies formed around occupations, shooting clubs, singing groups,

literary associations, and gymnastic clubs. Some organizations were fiercely regional. Some

held secret oaths and practices, even making formal secret pacts between members. Most were

competitive. Could THESE be TRUSTED? WHAT EXACTLY were they SAYING? Or

DOING behind closed doors? Was this a bit of Imperial Germany in the heart of Mid-America?

Craftsmen formed mutual benefit societies to help their invalids, or to support

the widowed and orphaned. Members met regularly and, because of their “German-ness,” were

not appreciated by “true Americans.” It was thought by some “Americans” that if these “strange

people” didn’t get locked up or converted to a clearly AMERICAN way of life, they should be

FORCED into it or sent back to Europe.

It was not an “old complaint” but has tended to surface over the decades when mistrust

and stress pound the populace.

Abraham Lincoln stumped through his political campaigns with an appreciation for

Illinois Germans as citizens and voters, the no-nonsense type of voters he liked. When war

started brewing, he asked Germans to form into fighting units. They followed his request by the

tens of thousands. Today historians know that Missouri would have likely swung to the South if

the Germans had not materialized into home militia units to protect their chosen way of life. Too

many Germans recalled the devastation caused by warring nations of Europe that proved their

propensity for battle over many and various generations.

Thousands of charitable organizations were formed by German Americans and speckled

the country. It was difficult NOT to find them. They existed in nearly every major community!

Now, if YOU lived next to a building where “strange people” came to meet, sing strange songs

in some language you did not know, and came from a nation that was aggressively at war with

yours or your nation’s allies, would YOU feel at ease?

Get the picture?

In New York and in Chicago, Philadelphia, even Milwaukee, there were more than 200

such societies in those big-city environs. Then there were Germans who avoided those societies

but became politically active or promoted unions, which in those fledgling years of civil unrest

was seen as a bane rather than a blessing! Where unions formed, troubles followed in the form

of work stoppages, skirmishes, and riots!

But hardly ANY of those German Americans were instigating anything other than

HUMAN RIGHTS and the opportunity to earn fair wages without facing dangerous working

conditions. Germans liked their beer and brats; their pork, cheese, and wine; their peculiar

dancing and singing. At a time when mainstream Americans were turning against foreign

intervention in their country, here were bunches of Germans who seemed to be carousing like

drunkards, boisterous and bold.

If you find the topic of anti-German sentiment interesting, study further. You

may have had ancestors who lived through those stringent and troubled times. To find out more

about their situation, read old newspapers online or on microfilm and hug what it was like to face

those circumstances. Perhaps it was during the First World War that your ancestor dropped the

use of German out of necessity, not choice.

It’s interesting to note that the German language never did fade completely from

America. There are enclaves here and there, usually in large cities or in some small rural

communities, where the old German traditions of Strassenfest and apple butter with fall festivals

and beer gardens never went away and now have been take to a higher level since Germany has

become an ally of the U.S.A. Once more, it is a good time to be German in heritage and

ancestry.

Some historians have argued that prior to 1914, the vast majority German Americans had

a nostalgic love for their ethnic heritage, yet no sense of political loyalty toward Imperial

Germany. But to the unyielding eye of other citizens, these Germans were…well…TOO

GERMAN! But they were here because they wanted to be American “EVEN MORE.”

As in other times before and after, when foreign-born people hear there is war or need in

their former homeland, there is a small percentage who will try to head back for reasons of

nationalism, to protect property left behind, or to support and protect family members in the Old

Country. This tendency did not settle well with Americans who were overtly anti-German in the

First World War.

There was one aspect of “German-ness” that many other types of folks did not

quite know how to handle. It centered on German churches. Up to and during the First World

War many of the German churches in America were Catholic, Lutheran, or followed “Reformed

Theology” (including several Protestant denominations). The Catholics were growing in number

amid a nation that had been formed on Protestant ideals. The Lutheran churches were clannishly

German and proud of it. The Reformed churches, especially the German Evangelical and

Reformed, were almost as clannish, except that they seemed more easy going and less stern in

religious idealism.

Churches became safe havens for most Germans during that turbulent era. And their

churches became less German in some respects. English gained in usage while German church

services were relegated to one or two services per month, at best. There are exceptions in those

Midwest counties where German populations nearly dominated the populace. They were less

prone to turn lose their grip on German worship services.

Let’s examine more specifics. Since I am very familiar with German Lutheran aspects in

this part of America, I will speak from that perspective.

My south St. Louis German community, centered at South Jefferson & Miami, did not

forget its roots. Even by the 1950s, German traditions for Advent, Christmas, Easter, and such,

prevailed. Church was the center of our activities (although German club activities and beer

parlors abounded, too). That neighborhood was strongly “Scrubby Dutch” in the 1950s, even

into the 1960s, because the previous two generations toughed through the First World War and,

very sadly, even a second such war which proved even more debilitating for German Americans.

I remember a story about a German man who was riding a trolley. I listened,

since my grandfather had held such a job around the time of the Great World War. The German

sat quietly for part of the ride, then noticed a pro-American sign posted inside the trolley. With

determination he rose quickly and tore the cardboard sign off the wall. Other men on the trolley

jumped him and wrestled him to the floor as if he were the “Evil Hun” himself. Then someone

noticed. Although the sign was pro-American, someone had scribbled graffiti of a pro-

GERMAN nature that degraded the original message. The German explained that he was an

AMERICAN now, and that NO ONE would put HIS new nation to SHAME! Naturally, the

others felt foolish and learned a lesson on NOT JUMPING to conclusions!

It is true some parties in Imperial Germany submitted propaganda to American

newspapers in hopes of stirring up discontent over America’s anti- German stance and, perhaps,

aid in keeping America out of the war or at least restraining it from too much intervention. But

any degree of success those efforts might have enjoyed for a short time, basically came to

naught.

Incidents were reported about German-instituted bombings of critical dock sites

and munitions areas, even threats against politicians, but outside of occasional news of external

sabotage, the German American population was truly dedicated to the New World and, if

anything, realized this even more during the War. In the long run, The Great War served as a

catalyst to foster deeper Americanism.

Just what did a German American face in the autumn of 1917? Here are some examples.

The German language was banned in schools, universities, libraries, and even religious services.

Enforcement of such bans may not have been strict or even enforced, depending on the locale.

Much of the German language press shut down since advertisers withdrew, subscriptions were

canceled, or threats were made against the printers.

Libraries stored German-language books in their basements or attics. Some burned the

books. Others recycled them out of anger. Ohio, Nebraska, and Iowa were VERY strict in their

enforcement of the language ban. Since their ban related to the use of ALL foreign languages,

the U.S. Supreme Court declared the ban unconstitutional in the 1920s.

The Mennonites and the Amish were not only German in descent but also opposed

military action and conscription. So they faced TWO STRIKES against them!

Street names were changed. If a street was named BERLIN, it was not surprising

to see a replacement name of PERSHING. According to the first postwar census, about 900,000

German surnames (last names) vanished from the earlier list due to “Anglicizing” or were listed

with OTHER ethnic backgrounds.

Operas and orchestras ceased playing pieces by Germans and Austrians. It was

uncommon to hear works by Mozart, Beethoven, and even Bach! President Woodrow Wilson

declared Germans in America as “alien enemies.” What resulted was loss of jobs as people were

fired. Many were banned from military facilities, ports, and air fields. With their mobility

restricted, German Americans had a devilish time trying to deliver goods, to make repairs in

areas where they were banned, and to function in their jobs. This soon created such a threat to

the entire work economy and production capability of the country that the rules soon sere

suspected or lightened.

In May of 1918, the Chicago City Council withdrew trade licenses on non-naturalized

persons of any nationality. More than 6,000 tradesmen and craftsmen were suddenly put out of

work! That included even tavern operators!

German investments were “nationalized.” An example of the tense time is reflected in

the eventual change of the Bosch Company which provided electrical parts for automobiles.

German leaders left America. The company was expropriated and reformed in the United States

to become AMERICAN BOSCH. In so doing, 70% of sales were lost by the German company!

The sale of pickled cabbage bottomed out at nearly a 75% loss since it was used to

make “sauerkraut.” Food companies suggested changing the name to “Liberty

Cabbage.”German Shepherd dogs and dachshunds were renamed by breeders to become

“Alsatian Shepherds” and “Liberty Pups.” German Measles were renamed as “Liberty Measles.”

It has been reported that German groups were formed around American patriotism during

that long-ago war. The experience no doubt proved beneficial as time progressed. It probably

made a better generation in the years thereafter.

That was truly a blessing despite the move by some in government to stir up anti-German

propaganda that resulted in added enlistments of young men who were willing to dash off to

Europe and fight the oppressors. Truth be told, in some respects it was not easy to always see

WHO was the aggressor amid a war that was over-ripe with confusion, mixed messages, and

conspiracies between nations and cultures. Long-festering animosities welled up in that nearly

forgotten conflagration, so let’s hope such evil intent never surfaces again.

I have made several major presentations in Germany during my travels. I preface my

talks by saying, “My ancestor chose to live in America. He chose American traditions and the

English language as his own. So I will make my presentation in English to honor my ancestor,

while my friend will translate into German.” Thus, I do not lose sight of my American-ness, nor

do I forget my ancestral German-ness! And the Germans LOVE it!

German Americans are rediscovering their ancestry, their traditions, their

lifestyles, and they are thoroughly ENJOYING all of it. We live in a land that grants us that

freedom of choice to recover what was lost and choose the best of it.

The generations that lived through the very rough times of want and war have toughened

the present generation in ways beneficial. We can do no less than to benefit our future

generations, too, in every wholesome way possible!

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