The German-American Heritage

by Irene M. Franck

Book Overview

Explores the history, culture, and contributions of German-Americans from colonial times to the present. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816016291
• ISBN13: 9780816016297
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Facts on File
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.7" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

A great book about an immigrant group that has contributed so much yet we hear so little about!

The German American Heritage is one great book! I truly never knew or realized the impact of German immigrants or their descendants until I read this book in my local library some years back.German immigrants first arrived in 1683. They were the first people to actually lauch a protest against slavery not long after they arrived in America.Germans were also very much involved for America's fight for Independence. Friederich Von Steuben from Prussia helped train the Continental Army which included many Germans.Germans continued to play a significant part in the Westward expansion of America during the early and mid 1800s.Germans were also very much involved in the Civil War serving in large numbers in the Union Army. Carl Schurz was probably the best known German immigrant living at that time. Vehemently opposed to slavery and also very much against the unjust treatment of American Indians. He was regarded by many as a great social reformer in his day.German immigrants and their offspring continued contributing to America all through the 1800s into the 1900s.By the 1910s German Americans had become a very important and vibrant part of the fabric of America. World War I would bring great prejudice and scorn to Americans of German birth or descent. But when America did enter the conflict against Germany German Americans, putting aside their heritage, fully supported the American war effort and in large numbers fought in the US armed forces. General John Pershing(originally Poersching) led US forces in Europe. Eddie Rickenbacker(Richenbacher) became a flying ace for America.Albert Einstein and Henry Kissenger were both German immigrants who arrived in the 1930s and would later go on to fame. World War II once again put German Americans in a tough spot. But as in World War II they once again served in large numbers and with distinction. General Dwight Eisenhower and Admiral Chester Nimitz, both German Americans, led US forces in Europe and the Pacific.Today America has anywhere from 45 to 55 million people who are at least part German. Many "American things" such as the Hamburger, Hot Dog, Christmas Tree, Easter Bunny and Eggs were brought to America by Germans. Many famous Americans such as: Sandra Bullock, Kirsten Dunst, Doris Day, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dennis Franz, Kim Basinger, Dakota Fanning, Marg Helgenberger, and Paris Hilton are at least part German in their heritage.Budweiser, Kraft, Westinghouse, Heinz, and Kohler are just of few of the names you see on your lightbulbs, beer, ketchup, faucet, and salad dressing, all of which are of German orgin.This book frankly should be required reading in all high schools in the USA! Please do read this book. It will make you soo thankful to German immigrants and their descendants for what they have contributed to the United State of Amerika!